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OLD    ROUGH   AND    READY   SERIES. 


1.  OLD  ROUGH  AND  READY. 

YOUNG  FOLKS'  LIFE  OF  GEN.  ZACHARY  TAYLOR. 

2.  OLD  HICKORY. 

YOUNG  FOLKS'  LIFE  OF  GEN.  ANDREW  JACKSON. 

3.  THE  MILL  BOY  OF  THE  SLASHES. 

YOUNG  FOLKS'  LIFE  OF  HENRY  CLAY. 

4.  THE  GREAT  EXPOUNDER. 

YOUNG  FOLKS'  LIFE  OF  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

5.  THE  SWAMP  FOX. 

YOUNG  FOLKS'  LIFE  OF  GEN.  FRANCIS  MARION. 

6.  THE  LITTLE  CORPORAL. 

YOUNG  FOLKS'  LIFE  OF  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE. 


LEE   AND   SHEPARD,    Publishers, 

BOSTON. 


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OLD   ROUGH  AND   READY  SERIES 


OLD  ROUGH  AND  READY 


YOUNG  FOLKS'  LIFE 


GEN.  ZACHARY  TAYLOR 


TWELFTH    PRESIDENT   OF   THE   UNITED   STATES 


By    JOHN    FROST 


ILLUSTRATED 


BOSTON 

LEE    AND    SHEPARD    PUBLISHERS 

NEW  YORK 

CHARLES    T.    DILLINGHAM 

1887 


Copyright,  1SS7, 
By   lee   and   SHEPARD. 


All  riirhis  reserved. 


Old  Rough  and  Ready  Series. 


PREFACE. 


'ENIUS,  or  great  natural  capacity,  un- 
aided by  experience  and  unfortified 
by  previous  application,  may  often 
prove  equal  to  a  sudden  exigence 
But  the  upward  flight  which  challenges  ad- 
miration may  in  the  next  moment  be  followed 
by  a  mojtifying  plunge,  which  escapes  cen- 
sure only  by  the  intervention  of  pity.  Hence 
we  find  that  mere  genius  has  needed  apologists  in 
the  ratio  of  its  admirers ;  and  that  in  the  relation  of 
the  lives  of  brilliant  men,  the  voice  of  praise  must 
alternate  with  pleadings  for  their  deficiencies.  Be- 
tween what  they  have  done  well,  and  what  they 
have  committed  ill  —  between  what  they  have  per- 
formed and  what  they  have  neglected — a  world  usu- 
ally indulgent  to  the  gifted  strikes  the  balance  in 
their  favour  with  an  "  if,"  and  their  account  is  ren- 
dered, like  a  factor's  bill,  with  "  errors  excepted.'' 

(iii) 


IV  PREFACE. 

We  wish,  in  this  brief  narrative  of  the  public  life 
of  General  Zacharj  Taylor,  to  appear  rather  as  his 
impartial  historian,  than  as  his  indiscriminate  eulo- 
gist. But  the  splendour  of  the  military  achievements 
m  which  his  has  been  the  guiding  arm,  has  caused 
an  enthusiasm  which  is  contagious ;  and  raised  a 
grateful  tempest  of  praise,  which  would  cover  great 
faults,  if  there  were  any  gross  faults  to  conceal  in 
his  military  character,  or  in  his  public  life.  "  Suc- 
cess," says  a  quaint  old  writer,  "  is  a  rare  paint — -it 
hides  all  the  ugliness." 

But  while  we  confine  our  remarks  to  his  public 
life,  we  beg  not  to  be  misunderstood,  as  intending  to 
leave  the  inference  that  his  private  relations  are  open 
to  censure.  In  truth,  we  know  little  of  him,  except 
as  a  soldier,  and  have  therefore  forborne  to  attempt 
any  relation  of  his  private  history  ;  nor  is  such  mat- 
ter necessary  to  our  purpose.  Common  fame  is 
now  one-voiced  in  his  praise  as  a  man  and  a  soldier 
Circumstances  may  subject  him  to  a  stricter  ordeal 
by  and  by ;  and  while  we  now  temper  adulation 
with  the  consideration  that  he  is  human,  and  there- 
fore frail,  we  must  apply  more  than  the  same  abate- 
ment to  the  censure  which  envy,  inseparable  from 
success,  may  aggravate.  Should  detraction  succeed 
eulogy,  v\e  must  take  into  account  the  accusers  as 


PREFACE 


well  as  the  accused.  No  man  can  occupy  a  respon- 
sible place,  without  clashing  against  the  wishes,  if 
not  against  the  interest,  of  others. 

General  Taylor  is  unquestionably  a  man  of 
genius— but  he  is  as  unquestionably  a  man  of  appli- 
cation. The  remarks  in  our  opening  paragraph 
apply  to  him  only  by  contrast ;  and  it  was  for  the 
sake  of  that  contrast  that  they  are  introduced.  The 
lesson  which  his  life  teaches  is  one  of  great  practical 
utihty.  His  military  knowledge  is  the  purchase  of 
long  experience,  and  of  diligent  service.  To  the 
great  mass  of  the  public  he  seemed  to  start  forth  into 
fame,  as  a  fabled  personage  of  mythology  came  into 
being,  the  instant  creation  of  a  perfect  hero.  But 
before  the  nation  was  astonished  with  the  feats  of 
our  army  on  the  Rio  Grande,  Zachary  Taylor  had 
been  for  nearly  forty  years  a  soldier ;  and  of  this 
long  term  the  greater  part  was  spent  in  service  which 
gave  little  other  reward  than  the  consciousness  that 
he  was  performing  his  duty.  He  obtained  not  fame, 
but  knowledge. 

Reviewing  his  life,  we  find  the  lad  quick  of  parts, 
yet  diligent  of  application.  As  "  the  child  is  father 
of  the  man,"  the  same  characteristic  has  marked  his 
whole  course.  He  has  not  been  content  that  his 
superior  capacity  should  put  him,  with  scarce  an 


VI  PREFACE. 

effort,  on  a  simple  equality  with  those  who  are  com- 
pelled to  labour  to  perform  that  which  he  can  effect 
without.  To  his  aptness  he  has  added  industry  — 
a  rare  combination  —  and  thus  has  improved  his 
natural  powers  to  a  better  purpose  than  that  of 
merely  accomplishing  with  ease  what  others  can 
only  do  with  effort.  He  has  doubled  by  application 
whatever  advantages  his  eminent  abilities  conferred. 
We  cannot  all  be  soldiers— and  it  is  much  to  be 
hoped  that  the  need  of  men  whose  profession  is  arms 
may  every  day  grow  less  and  less.  But  we  can  all 
act  upon  the  motto  that  "whatever  is  worth  doing 
at  all  is  worth  doing  well,"  and  thus  in  times  of 
comparative  repose  be  gathering  strength  and  know- 
ledge for  such  occasions  as  demand  extraordinary 
exertions.  Thus  trained,  when  we  conquer  —  for 
there  are  conquests  in  peace  as  well  as  in  war  — 
the  praise  of  those  who  know  nothing  of  our  history 
may  be  the  more  clamorous ;  but  that  of  those  who 
understand  us  will  be  the  more  judicious — the  more 
sincere — and  the  more  permanent. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Introductory  Remarks  — Birth  and  Parentage  of  Zachary  Taylor  —  Character  of  hffl 
Father — Pioneer  Life — Zachary's  early  associations — Mr.  Elisha  Ayres — Yoiinj 
Taylor's  character  as  a  Student— Hio  Military  bent  —  Early  Enthusiasm,  con- 
trasted with  ripe  Experience Page    9 

CHAPTER  II. 

The  affair  of  the  Chesapeake  —  Investijration  into  the  case  of  the  Deserters  —  The 
Chtsapeake  hailed  by  the  Leopard  —  Vice  Admiral  Berkeley's  order  —  Refusal  of 
Commodore  Barron  to  comply — Broadside,  and  continued  firing  by  the  Leopard^ 
The  British  Commander  takes  the  Deserters  —  Natural  exasperation  of  the  Ame- 
rican People — Young  Taylor  solicits  and  obtains  a  commission,  in  the  belief  that 
War  was  impending  —  Lieutenant  Taylor  promoted  to  a  Captaincy  —  Brevetted 
Major — Meaning  of  the  word  "  brevet" 19 

CHAPTER  III. 

Necessary  Enmity  of  the  [ndians,  and  its  causes  — Consequences  of  admitting  In- 
dians as  Allies  —  Tecumseli  and  Olli wachica  —  Character  of  Tecumseh  —  Preten- 
sions of  the  Prophet  —  War  of  1812  — Captain  Taylor  at  Fort  Harrison  —  Indian 
Night-Attack— Firing  of  the  Blockhouse— GallaTit  and  successful  Defence 30 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Destitution  of  the  Garrison— Departure  of  the  Indians— Failure  to  send  Despatches 
-Arrival  of  Relief— Commendation  of  Major  General  Hopkins— Brevet  Commis- 
sion of  Major— Avoidance  of  Ostentation— Amusing  Anecdote — Promotion  to  the 
rank  of  Colonel 41 

CHAPTER  V. 

The  Florida  War —  It?  wearisome  character —  Fruitless  Heroism  of  our  Troops  — 
Colonel  Taylor  ordered  to  the  Peninsula  —  Failiire  of  the  Cherokee  Mediation  — 
Colonel  Taylor  receives  orders  to  lake  Active  Measures  —  Moves  in  execution  of 
that  duty  — Events  of  the  March— He  reaches  the  Encampment  of  the  Indian  chief 
Alligator— Preparations  for  an  Engagement 50 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Attack  on  the  camp  of  the  Indians  — Fall  of  Colonel  Gentry —  Gallant  conduct  oi 
the  fourth  and  sixth  Infantry— Terrible  Slaughter  of  Officers— Flight  of  the  Enemy 
— Care  of  the  Wounded — Reflections  on  the  scene  —  Return  to  Fort  Gardner  — 
Colonel  Taylor  brevetted  Brigadier  General —  Close  of  his  Services  in  Florida  — 
Relieved  by  Brigadier  General  Armistead 64 

CHAPTER  VII. 

General  Taylor  ordered  to  the  South-west  —  Movements  of  the  Army  of  Occupation 
— Depot  established  at  Point  Isabel— Arrival  before  Matamoras — Mexican  Procla- 
mation—Mexican newspapers— Arrival  of  Ampudia  at  Matamoras— Incitements 
to  Desertion — Deaths  of  Colonel  Cross  and  Lieut.;nant  Porter— Answer  of  General 
Ta/lor  to  Ampudia's  Summons _  7] 

(vii) 


rill  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

fasition  of  the  Americans— Capture  of  Thornton's  Command  by  the  Enemy— Oen- 
eral  Taylor  marches  to  Point  Isabel  with  the  main  body  of  the  Army — Sets  out 
on  his  return— Encounters  the  Enemy  at  Palo  Alto— Brilliant  Services  of  Major 
Ringgold— Mortal  Wound  of  Captain  Page— Close  of  the  day— General  Taylor's 
Despatch 3| 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Bettle  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma  —  Discovery  of  the  Enemy's  Position —  Lieutenant 
Ridgely's  Batlery  —  Charge  of  Captain  May  —  Capture  of  General  La  Vega  — 
Charge  of  the  Eighth  Infantry — Desperate  Courage  of  the  Mexicans — Moveraenti 
of  various  Regiments  — Camp  of  the  Enemy  —  Total  Defeat  of  the  Mexicans  — 
Meeting  with  the  American  Troops  in  the  Fort— General  Taylor's  Despatch....     93 

CHAPTER  X. 

Bombardment  of  Fort  Brown — General  Taylor's  Orders  — Death  of  Sergeant  Wal- 
gart — Mexican  guns  dismounted — Reserve  of  fire— Precautions  against  shells  and 
bombs — Death  of  Major  Brown— Message  from  Arista — Answer  of  Captain  Haw- 
kins—  Continued  Bombardment  —  The  guns  of  Palo  Alto  heard  in  the  Fort  — 
Resaca  de  la  Palma— Joyful  view  of  the  fugitive  Mexicans — Pleasing  Incidents 
relating  to  General  La  Vega 119 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Burying  the  Dead — General  Taylor  and  Commodore  Conner — Preparations  to  cross 
to  Matamoras — Armistice  refused — Bloodless  Capture — Respect  to  Mexican  Per- 
sonal Rights  —  General  Taylor  and  the  Volunteer— Narrative  of  one  of  Captain 
May's  Dragoons 134 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Taylor  a  Major  General — President's  Letter— Resolutions  of  Congress,  and  of  Legis- 
latures— Plan  of  the  movement  against  Monterey — March  to  that  City — General 
Taylor's  Report  of  the  Operations  against  New  Leon 141 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Terms  of  the  Capitulation — Remarks  upon  the  Plan  of  the  Advance  against  Mon- 
terey— General  Worth — Review  of  his  past  Services — Character  of  his  operations 
at  Monterey  —  Heroic  Deeds  of  the  21st  —  Storming  of  the  Palace  Heights  on  the 
22d — Operationsof  the  23d — Interval  between  the  Battlesof  Monterey  and  Buena 
Vista 166 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Official  Report  of  General  Taylor — Preparations  for  Battle — Movements  of  differeiit 
bodies— Gallantry  of  Oflicers  and  Men— Loss  of  Officers  and  Soldiers 178 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Santa  Anna's  Summons  and  General  Taylor's  Reply  —  Flags  of  Truce  —  General 
Taylor's  Indifference  to  Danger — His  Plan  of  the  Engagement — Anecdote — His 
reception  of  the  news  of  his  Nomination  to  the  Presidency — Conclusion £03 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Etturn  of  General  Taylor— End  of  the  Mexican  War— Nominated  for  the  Presidency 
—  His  Election  — His  partial  Disappointment— His  illness— Its  Continuance— Gen- 
eral T;i\lni-<;  Ileal  I)  -Gri.'f  of  the  People— Funeral  Honours — Removal  of  his  Re- 
mains lo  uie  VVi.ai-  lli<  Cliainfler 2l4 


LIFE 

OP 

GENERAL  TAYLOR. 

CHAPTER  I. 

Introductory  Remarks — Birth  and  Parentage  of  Zachary  Taylor — Cha- 
racter of  his  Father — Pioneer  Life — Zaciiary's  early  associations- 
Mr.  Elisha  Ayres — Young  Taylor's  character  as  a  Student  —  His 
Military  bent — Early  Enthusiasm,  contrasted  with  ripe  Experience. 

T  is  sometimes  said  that  great  occa- 
sions make  great  men.  It  is  better,  and 
more  consonant  with  truth  and  history 
to  say  that  proper  opportunities  develop 
the  character  of  heroes  and  statesmen ; 
and  be  the  exigency  a  great  one  which  callg 
the  eyes  of  the  world  upon  the  heroic  deeds 
of  the  actors  in  it,  or  a  scene  of  equal  danger, 
but  less  prominence,  in  which  the  noble  qualities  of 
the  man  are  seen  and  appreciated  only  by  a  dis- 
cerning few,  his  manhood  and  virtue  are  evident  in 
the  one  case  as  in  the  other.  The  difference  is  in 
tne  number  ot  the  admirers  of  the  man,  rather  than 

I*  (9) 


10  L  I  F  E     O  F 

in  his  own  inherent  claim  to  respect  and  honour 
Zachary  Taylor,  in  1812,  defending  successfully  a 
rude  fort,  with  an  effective  force  of  only  twenty  men, 
against  a  horde  of  furious  savages,  was  no  less  the 
hero  in  personal  traits,  the  man  of  prudence  in 
council,  of  decision  in  action,  of  fortitude  and  firm- 
ness in  danger,  than  when,  in  the  few  short  months 
of  his  recent  brilliant  career,  he  filled  the  world  with 
the  clamour  of  praise  at  the  deeds  of  Palo  Alto  and 
Resaca  de  la  Palma,  only  to  exceed  his  own  repu- 
tation at  Monterey  and  Buena  Vista.  All  honour 
is  due  to  the  subordinates,  leaders  and  men,  whose 
courage  and  noble  conduct  secured  the  victory. 
But  a  good  commander  makes  good  men.  With- 
out the  direction  of  an  able  chieftain,  courage  is 
wasted  in  fruitless  efforts ;  and  indecision,  which, 
under  proper  auspices,  rises  into  bravery,  without 
the  bold  guidance  of  a  master-mind,  sinks  into 
cowardice. 

Zachary  Taylor  was  born  in  Orange  county,  in 
the  state  of  Virginia,  in  the  year  1784.  His  father, 
Colonel  Richard  Taylor,  was  a  descendant  of  one 
of  the  earliest  settlers  of  "  the  Old  Dominion."  He 
was  remarkable  for  the  hardy  and  impetuous  cou- 
rage which  are  necessary  ingredients  in  the  charac- 
ter of  the   pioneer  of  the  wilderness,  who  has  to 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  IJ 

contend  not  only  with  wild  beasts,  but  wild  men , 
and  who  finds  in  the  inhospitality  and  hardships  of 
the  forest  and  prairie,  but  a  small  part  of  the  trying 
difficulties  of  his  position.  The  romantic  and 
deeply  interesting  annals  of  Virginia  have  much  to 
say  of  the  deeds  of  the  men  whose  character  Zach- 
ary  Taylor  has  inherited,  and  in  whose  steps,  by 
education  and  natural  emulation,  he  has  been  led. 
The  ruder  courage  essential  in  the  wilderness  and 
in  an  infant  colony  has  been  softened,  in  the  subject 
of  our  biography,  by  the  milder  virtues  which  arise 
under  the  influence  of  civilization  and  safety.  A 
truly  brave  man,  he  is  as  humane  as  courageous. 
Unlike  those  who  love  war  for  its  ferocity  and  car- 
nage, and  who  seem  to  delight  in  blood  for  its  own 
sake,  Zachary  Taylor  goes  into  the  field  at  the  call 
of  patriotism  and  duty  only ;  and,  having  vigorously 
prosecuted  the  stern  demands  of  war,  his  heart  is 
open  to  the  calls  of  humanity ; — striking  proofs  of 
which  will  be  presented  to  the  reader  in  the  course 
of  his  biography. 

The  father  of  Zachary  Taylor  was  one  of  the 
original  settlers  in  Kentucky,  where  he  resided  on 
his  estate  near  Lexington,  until  his  death  in  1826. 
We  have  spoken  of  his  personal  character ;  and 
his  adventures  will  be  inferred  frcm  the  pioneer  hfe 


12  L  1  F  E      O  F 

he  led.  in  the  "  dark  and  bloody  ground."  Such 
is  the  signification  of  the  beautiful  Indian  word 
"  Kentucky."  Renowned  for  his  desperate  en- 
counters with  the  Indians,  he  was  a  prominent  man 
in  civil  life,  holding  many  offices  in  the  state  of  his 
adoption,  and  serving  in  several  of  the  national 
E  lectoral  Colleges.  At  the  fire-side  of  such  a  father, 
with  an  elder  brother  who  was  in  the  profession  of 
arms  before  him,  the  mind  of  Zachary  could  not 
fail  to  receive  a  bias  toward  the  pursuit,  which  lads 
are  often  led  to  consider  the  only  noble  one — that 
of  arms.  Zachary  showed  even  more  than  the 
usual  "military  enthusiasm"  of  boyhood;  and  in 
his  case,  it  was  a  practical  bent ;  for  he  looked  for- 
ward constantly  to  the  profession  of  a  soldier,  as 
his  lot  in  life.  He  was  early  gratified,  entering  the 
United  States  Army  as  a  heutenant  in  1808,  at  the 
age  of  twenty-four.  In  that  service  he  has  remained 
ever  since  —  a  period  of  nearly  forty  years.  His 
successes,  therefore,  are  the  results  of  patient  and 
laborious  experience,  added  to  the  advantages  of  his 
natural  adaptation  for  the  arduous  and  adventurous 
life  of  a  soldier.  We  mention  the  circumstance 
more  particularly,  that  our  young  readers  may  under- 
stand, that  military  excellence,  no  more  than  any 
other,  can  be  acquired  without  perseverance  and 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  13 

application.  By  military  excellence,  we  do  not 
mean  courage  and  resolution  only,  though  they  are 
the  habitual  traits  of  the  veteran  soldier.  We  speak 
of  the  high  qualities  as  a  commander,  which  the 
character  and  deeds  of  Zachary  Taylor  will  exhibit 
to  the  reader,  as  we  proceed  in  the  narrative  of  his 
life. 

His  early  education,  and  that  of  his  brothers, 
was  conducted  by  Mr.  Elisha  Ayres,  a  native  of 
Norwich,  Connecticut,  where  he  is  now  living,  at  an 
advanced  age.  The  thin  population  and  peculiar  dis- 
advantages of  a  new  country,  fifty  years  ago,  denied 
to  Zachary  the  advantages  of  improvement,  which 
are  within  the  reach  of  our  young  readers.  Mr. 
Ayres  was  the  private  tutor  of  the  sons  of  Col. 
Richard  Taylor,  and  he  has  had  the  high  gratiiica- 
of  watching  through  a  long  life  the  exercise  of  the 
abilities  which  he  aided  in  developing.  Particularly 
has  the  course  of  Zachary  been  a  subject  of  deep 
interest  to  him ;  for  although  Gen.  Taylor  seemed 
to  break  at  once,  in  fall  fame  and  honour,  upon  the 
nation,  within  the  last  year,  Mr.  Ayres,  his  tutor, 
and  his  companions  in  arms,  have  long  known  the 
qualities  which  gave  earnest  of  ability  to  distinguish 
himself.  They  have  long  been  familiar  with  deeda 
of  equal  daring,  with  those  which  are  now  cele- 


14  L  I  F  E      O  F 

brated  bj  a  nation  ;  but  which,  as  we  remarkeii  at 
the  beginning  of  the  chapter,  were  less  conspicuous, 
because  taking  place  in  a  narrower  field, 

Mr.  Ajres,  as  will  readily  be  imagined,  is  fond  of 
speaking  of  his  former  pupil ;  and  takes  a  natural 
and  proper  pride  in  the  character,  which  he  aided 
in  forming.  The  account  he  gives  of  his  child- 
hood, illustrates  the  truth  of  the  saying,  "  the  child 
is  father  of  the  man" — which  means,  that  the  cha- 
racter the  boy  forms,  will  attend  bim  through  life. 
Zachary  in  youth  was  quick  in  learning,  and  still 
patient  in  study.  Some  lads  with  ready  capacity 
trust  too  much  to  their  quickness ;  and  do  things 
carelessly  and  in  a  hurry,  because  they  feel  that 
they  have  the  ability  to  "  catch  up  "  even  though 
they  fall  behind.  But  this,  we  are  given  to  under- 
stand, was  not  Zachary's  course.  He  improved  the 
full  benefit  of  his  natural  abilities,  by  adding  to 
them  the  advantage  of  studious  and  methodical 
habits.  His  temperament  was  ardent ;  and  yet  he 
was  firm  in  pursuing  what  he  commenced  ;  and  his 
careful  and  thoughtful  observation  led  him  fully  to 
determine  what  he  could  do,  before  he  undertook 
it,  and  then  to  pursue  it  to  the  end.  While  he 
dared  more  than  the  careful  generally  do,  he  effected 
more  than  tliose  who  are  bold  without  judgment 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  Ih 

can.  Fortitude  under  reverses,  accompanied  by 
perseverance  to  resist  under  apparently  hopeless 
circumstances,  change  defeat  into  victory  ;  and  it  is 
by  such  quaHties  of  character,  that  the  boy  marked 
out  his  own  destiny,  and  the  man  has  caused  him- 
self to  be  acknowledged  among  the  ablest  military 
commanders  of  his  time. 

Zachary  looked  forward  from  his  youth,  to  the 
army,  as  his  future  scene  of  labour  and  fame.  This 
was  a  future  which  was  sure  to  present  itself  to  the 
son  of  Col.  Richard  Taylor,  educated  in  a  border 
tract,  amid  the  excitement  of  contiuned  Indian 
forays.  In  his  ears  were  continually  being  repeated, 
anecdotes  of  stirring  adventures ;  and  as  he  came 
forward  into  youth,  while  the  clouds  were  gather- 
ing, which  at  last  broke  in  the  last  war  with  Grea. 
Britain,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  that  his  active  and 
sanguine  disposition  looked  to  the  profession  of 
arms  as  the  most, — perhaps  the  only  honourable  one 
in  which  a  patriot  could  serve  his  country.  The 
military  spirit  was  the  necessary  legacy  of  the  found- 
ers of  this  republic  to  their  followers. 

We  live  in  different  times.  Intending  no  dis- 
paragement to  those  who,  like  young  Taylor, 
modelled  their  patriotism  upon  the  classic  examples 
of  Greece  and  Rome,  and  looked  to  service  in  the 


16  L  I  F  E     O  F 

field,  and  the  risk,  and  loss,  if  need  were,  of  life  in 
the  battle-field,  as  the  test  of  their  love  of  country : 
we  may  properly  congratulate  ourselves,  that  war 
is  now  viewed  in  a  different  light  from  that  in  which 
it  was  regarded,  no  farther  back  than  in  the  last 
century.  General  Taylor  himself,  successful  as  he 
has  been  in  arms,  looks  back  upon  his  brilHant 
battle-fields  with  a  very  different  feeling  from  that 
with  which,  when  marshalling  his  troop  of  boys 
and  leading  them  on  to  mimic  assaults  to  conquei 
imaginary  enemies,  he  looked  forward  to  the  military 
glory  of  the  man.  He  is  doubtless  ready  to  say 
with  another  successful  commander,  that  the  next 
great  calamity  to  a  military  defeat,  is  a  great  vic- 
tory. The  advancement  of  Christian  knowledge 
and  civilization,  has  disseminated  the  wholesome 
truth,  that  war  under  all  circumstances  is  a  great 
evil ;  and  that  the  nation  which  needlessly  or  reck- 
lessly rushes  into  it,  incurs  a  fearful  responsibility. 
Once  it  v^^as  undertaken  upon  the  most  colourless 
pretexts,  being  considered  chivalric  and  desirable 
in  itself,  and  rather  to  be  courted  than  avoided  by 
nations  who  would  be  esteemed  great  and  honour- 
able. Now  it  is  deemed  in  itself  disastrous,  and  a 
great  calamity,  not  to  be  undertaken  on  light  ground, 
or  engaged  in,  except  at  the  stern  compulsion  of 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  17 

necessity.  In  such  a  light,  we  are  told,  General 
Taylor  regards  it.  His  sound  practical  sense  and 
judgment,  matured  by  a  life  of  active  experience, 
have  placed  him  among  those,  who  least  of  all 
desire  war  and  bloodshed,  for  the  mere  purpose  of 
personal  fame  and  aggrandizement.  He  knows  that 
the  price  of  a  country  wasted,  and  the  innocent 
and  inactive,  suffering  with  the  guilty  ;  the  child 
fatherless,  the  mother  a  widow,  the  old  deprived  of 
support,  and  the  young  cut  off  in  their  usefulness,  is 
too  dear  a  price  to  pay  for  the  mere  glory  of  a  com- 
mander, or  the  self-laudation  of  a  nation.  He  has 
heard  the  shrieks  of  the  dying,  and  the  groans  of 
the  wounded.  He  has  seen  the  suffering  in  their 
extremity,  instead  of  being  comforted  and  relieved, 
ridden  over  by  the  iron  heels  of  clashing  hosts. 
He  has  seen  the  image  of  God  disfigured  and 
maimed  by  the  angry  passions  of  man  ;  and  in  the 
ghastly  light  of  the  pale  moon,  he  has  gone  over 
the  field,  strewn  with  the  prostrate  forms  of  those 
who,  a  few  hours  before,  were  wrestling  in  life  and 
for  life,  with  the  furious  strength  of  despair.  The 
silent  lips  of  those  pallid  faces  have  told  to  him 
their  eloquent  tale  of  the  wrong  and  outrage  insepar- 
able from  war,  however  just  and  inevitable.  Gene- 
ral Zachary  Taylor,  with  the  fresh  laurels  of  his 

B 


18  L  I  F  E      O  F 

four  last  great  battles  thick  upon  him,  would  be  the 
last  man  to  hold  out,  to  the  jouth  of  his  country, 
war  of  itself  as  a  thing  to  be  desired,  or  military 
fame  as  the  greatest  honour  of  a  Christian  people. 
It  is  his  highest  praise  that  he  is,  while  a  great 
soldier,  a  good  and  enlightened  citizen.  His  vision 
is  not  restricted  to  the  single  arm  of  his  country's 
service  in  which  he  is  engaged.  And  it  is  highly 
to  his  honour  that  he  is  no  less  remarkable  for  his 
efforts  to  restrain  unnecessary  violence,  and  mitigate 
and  relieve  the  terrors  of  war,  than  .for  his  eminent 
services  in  the  hour  of  conflict. 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  19 


CHAPTER  II. 

The  alFair  of  the  Chesapeake.  —  Investi^tion  into  the  case  of  the 
Deserters. — The  Chesapeake  hailed  by  the  Leopard. — Vice  Admiral 
Berkeley's  order.  —  Refusal  of  Commodore  Barron  to  comply. — 
Broadside,  and  continued  firing  by  the  Leopard. — The  British  Com* 
mander  takes  the  Deserters. — Natural  exasperation  of  the  American 
People. — Young  Taylor  solicits  and  obtains  a  commission  in  the 
belief  that  War  was  impending. — Lieutenant  Taylor  promoted  to  a 
Captaincy. — Brevetted  Major. — Meaning  of  the  word  "brevet." 

N  the  year  1807,  occurred  the  memo- 
rable attack  upon  the  United  States 
frigate  Chesapeake,  by  the  British  ship 
Leopard.  Tiie  irritation  of  the  public 
mind  against  Great  Britain  was  so 
aggravated  and  increased  by  this  event, 
added  to  previous  causes  of  complaint,  that 
it  may  properly  be  classed  among  the  causes 
which  led  to  the  war  of  1812.  Certain  deserters 
from  the  British  navy  were  known  to  be  on  board  ; 
official  proceedings  having  been  had  in  relation 
to  tnem,  before  the  sailing  of  the  Chesapeake  from 
Norfolk.  The  men  were  three  in  number,  and 
claimed  to  be  American  citizens  impressed  into  the 


20  L  I  F  E      O  F 

British  service,  who  only  improved  the  first  opDor^ 
tunitj  to  rejoin  the  flag  of  their  own  country.  At 
the  representation  of  the  British  Minister  at  Wash- 
ington, an  investigation  was  made.  Two  of  the 
men  were  undoubtedly  proved  to  be  what  they  re- 
presented themselves  ;  and  though  the  third  did  not 
absolutely  establish  his  pretensions,  the  American 
government  declined  to  give  up  any  who  appealed 
as  a  native  to  the  protection  of  the  American  flag. 
In  the  latter  end  of  June,  1807,  the  Chesapeake 
proceeded  to  sea  from  Norfolk,  bound  to  the  Medi- 
ttrranean,  to  reUeve  the  Constitution.  Hardly  was 
she  out  of  the  waters  of  the  United  States,  when 
the  Leopard,  which  had  stood  out  to  sea  before  her, 
from  Hampton  Roads,  keeping  the  advantage  of 
the  weather  gage  of  the  Chesapeake,  hailed  the 
American  frigate,  and  said  she  had  despatches  to 
send  on  board.  Captain  Gordon  was  in  command 
of  the  Chesapeake,  and  the  vessel  wore  also  the 
broad  pennant  of  Commodore  Barron.  The  com- 
modore answered  the  hail,  and  said  he  would  re- 
ceive a  boat.  In  a  few  minutes  a  British  Lieutenant 
came  on  board,  and  produced  an  order  from  Vice 
Admiral  Berkeley  requiring  all  captains  of  vessels 
under  his  command,  should  they  fall  in  with  the 
Chesapeake,  out  of  the  waters  of  the  United  States, 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  2J 

to  search  her  for  deserters,  and  offering  the  same 
opportunity  of  search  to  the  Americans.  Accom- 
panying the  order  was  a  note  from  the  captain  of 
the  Leopard  to  the  commander  of  the  Chesapeake, 
referring  to  the  instructions,  and  expressing  the  hope 
that  every  thing  in  relation  to  the  deserters  would 
be  adjusted  in  a  manner  to  leave  "  the  harmony  be- 
tween the  nations  undisturbed,"  &c.  &c. 

Commodore  Barron,  of  course,  refused  that  his 
men  should  be  mustered  by  a  foreign  officer,  for  any 
such  purpose.  While  the  British  Lieutenant  w  as 
on  board  the  Chesapeake,  the  signal  was  shown 
from  the  Leopard  for  the  return  of  the  boat.  As 
soon  as  the  answer  of  Commodore  Barron  was  re- 
ceived by  the  Leopard,  the  English  ship  hailed  the 
Chesapeake  again.  Commodore  Barron  answered 
that  he  did  not  understand,  and  the  English  ship 
then  fired  a  shot  ahead  of  the  Chesapeake,  and  in 
an  instant  more  followed  it  with  a  broadside.  The 
firing  continued  from  twelve  to  fifteen  minutos,  the 
Chesapeake  unable  to  answer  even  a  single  gun 
At  length  one  gun  was  discharged  from  the  Chesa 
peake  almost  simultaneously  with  the  pulling  down 
of  the  flag,  by  the  order  of  Commodore  Barron. 
This  one  shot  from  the  Chesapeake,  which  was 
^ired   by  means  of  a  coal    brought  from  the  galley 


22  L  I  F  E     O  F 

or  cook's  stove,  struck  the  Leopard,  but  injured  no 
person.  On  board  the  Chesapeake  three  men  were 
killed  ;  eight  were  badlj,  and  ten  slightly  wounded* 
Among  the  wounded  was  the  Commodore. 

Commodore  Barron  instantly  sent  a  boat  to  the 
Leopard,  stating  that  his  ship  was  the  prize  of  the 
English  captain.  The  latter  refused  to  take  posses- 
sion of  the  Chesapeake,  but  mustered  the  men,  and 
picked  out  the  three  men  previously  claimed,  and 
one  more.  Of  these  four  men,  one  died,  two  were 
returned  to  the  Chesapeake,  by  order  of  the  British 
government,  but  the  fourth  was  hanged  by  a  court- 
martial,  before  the  orders  came  from  England,  under 
which  the  other  two  were  restored.  Captain 
Humphreys,  the  commander  of  the  Leopard,  was 
"  shelved,"  or  discontinued  from  active  service,  for 
having  exceeded  his  instructions. 

The  Chesapeake  was,  at  the  time  of  the  attack 
by  the  Leopard,  as  completely  unfit  for  service  as 
if  she  had  been  a  merchant-ship,  instead  of  a  vessel 
of  war.  She  was  not  in  any  sense,  technical  or 
otherwise,  "  clear  for  action,"  and  it  appeared  in 
testnnony  before  the  court-martial  by  which  Com- 
modore Barron  was  tried,  that  even  if  one  broadside 
could  have  been  fired  by  her,  the  second  could  not 
have  followed  it.     Such  are  the  facts,  and  we  have 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  23 

not  space,  nor  is  it  necessary  to  go  into  details  to 
show  why  these  things  were.  The  commodore 
was  found  guilty,  and  suspended  for  five  years  for 
his  neglect  in  preparing  his  vessel,  though  his  per- 
sonal courage  remained  undoubted.  The  attack 
took  place  on  the  day  the  Chesapeake  sailed,  and 
she  appears  to  have  left  the  Roads  utterly  unpre- 
pared and  in  great  confusion.  Her  case  has  made 
the  discipline  of  the  national  marine  much  more 
exact  and  rigid  since. 

To  understand  a  man's  conduct,  and  properly  to 
weigh  and  appreciate  his  motives,  it  is  necessary  to 
know  the  temper  and  spirit  of  the  times  in  which 
he  lived.  This  outrage  on  the  American  flag — for 
the  disavowal  of  the  act  by  the  British  government 
admits  that  word,  if  any  such  admission  be  deemed 
necessary  to  establish  the  character  of  the  transac- 
tion,—  filled  the  land  with  indignation.  War  was 
breathed  by  the  impetuous ;  and  the  clear-sighted 
began  now  to  count  on  hostilities  with  Great  Bri- 
tain as  among  the  probable  events  of  the  future. 
The  great  contest  of  the  Revolution  had  been  but 
about  twenty  years  closed,  and  every  person  of  ma- 
ture age  may  be  said  to  have  had  some  recollection 
of  that  struggle,  or  of  the  immediato  corj sequences 
vof  it,  in  a  feeling  toward  Great  B/*>ain,  Jj  it,  when 


24  L  I  F  E     O  F 

an  enemy  was  spoken  of,  no  other  couttl  be  meanl 
than  her.  Young  Taylor  was  now  about  eighteen 
years  old,  an  age  which  supposes  that  his  earliest 
recollections  of  the  '*  war  talk,"  which  boys  delight 
to  hear,  must  have  embraced  Great  Britain  as  the 
natural  enemy  of  his  country.  The  proceedings  of 
Congress,  by  which  British  war-vessels  were  inter- 
dicted from  entering  American  waters,  the  imposi- 
tion of  the  embargo,  the  court-martial  which  tried 
the  officers  of  the  unlucky  frigate,  all  tended  to 
excite  the  public  mind,  and  all  aided  to  fill  the 
mouths  of  the  nation  with  the  one  topic.  It  was 
not,  therefore,  with  the  view  of  peace  campaigns 
that  Zachary  Taylor,  at  the  early  age  of  eighteen, 
accepted  the  Heutenancy  in  the  army,  which  his 
father  and  friends  procured  for  him.  It  was  with 
the  expectation  of  actual  service,  and  with  the  am- 
bition to  distinguish  himself,  that,  scarcely  through 
with  marshalling  lads  in  mock  engagements,  he  en- 
tered into  the  actual  and  regular  service  of  tlie 
United  States.  He  eagerly  desired  the  opportunity 
to  distinguish  himself;  and  his  long  military  life  has 
afforded  no  incident  to  show  that  he  misjudged  his 
capacities,  or  that  his  friends  were  wrong  in  further- 
ing his  inclinations. 

Tlie    blessings   of   a   long:    peace    have    happilv 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  25 

changed  the  feehngs  of  Americans  and  Enghslimen 
toward  each  other ;  and  we  have  introduced  liie 
affair  of  the  Chesapeake  into  our  history,  that  the 
young  reader  may  have  some  appreciation  of  the 
circumstances  under  which  the  subject  of  this 
biography  assumed  the  sword  as  his  companion, 
and  chose  arms  as  his  profession.  We  do  not  wish 
to  be  understood  that  it  was  from  any  particular 
enmity  to  Great  Britian,  for  his  hfe  shows  him 
superior  to  national  prejudices ;  but  we  desire  that 
the  young  reader  should  comprehend  the  fact  that 
forty  years  ago  the  idea  of  two  nations  being  natu- 
ral and  hereditary  enemies  was  almost  an  universal 
one.  The  history  of  England  and  France,  for  cen- 
turies changing  from  peace  to  war  and  from  war  to 
peace,  with  as  little  expression  of  surprise  as  the 
rise  or  fall  of  the  market  now  occasions,  and  with 
apparently  as  httle  doubt  that  war  is  as  natural 
and  proper  a  condition  as  peace — had  prepared  the 
descendants  of  Europeans  in  this  country  for  the 
same  sort  of  feeling.  Though  we  have  no  data  on 
which  the  fact  can  be  asserted,  there  can  be  no  rea- 
sonable doubt  that  when  Lieutenant  Taylor  buckled 
on  h  s  sword,  he  expected  fully  that  it  would  soon 
be  unsheatlied  in  a  contest  with  that  country  to 
which  the  young  warriors  of  America  were  ilien 
2 


26  L  I  F  E      O  F 

accustomed  to  look  as  the  presumed  enemy  of  the 
United  States.  And  certainly  the  exasperation  of 
the  public  mind  against  Great  Britain,  increased  by 
an  acerbity  of  party  feeling,  which  has  never  been 
equalled  in  intensity  since,  would  strengthen  the 
impression. 

Lieutenant  Taylor's  commission  attached  him  to 
the  seventh  regiment  of  United  States  Infantry.  Foi 
the  first  four  years,  contrary  to  the  expectations  with 
which  he  had  entered  the  service,  no  opportunity 
presented  itself  for  active  duty  in  the  field.  The 
public  ear,  during  this  period,  was  full  of  rumours 
of  war  ;  for  the  belligerent  attitude  of  the  European 
nations  was  continually  causing  events  to  take  place 
which  affected  the  rights  and  the  honour  of  neutrals. 
Complaints  were  frequently  made,  and  justly  too, 
against  both  of  the  great  powers  which  were  at 
variance.  In  addition  to  the  fact  that  there  was  the 
greater  ground  of  complaint  against  Great  Britain, 
thf  popular  sympathy  naturally  ran  in  favour  of  the 
nation  which  had  been  thq  ally  of  the  United  States 
in  their  struggle  for  independence;  and  the  populai 
feeling  as  naturally  went  against  that  government 
with  which  that  memorable  contest  had  been  so 
earnestly  waged.  Success  after  so  long  a  war,  and 
so  much  of  suffering,  could  but  leave  the  seeds  of 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  27 

future  hostility.  At  length,  in  1812,  these  ripened, 
under  the  fomenting  causes  of  which  we  have  been 
speaking,  into  an  open  war  with  Great  Britain.  It 
is  one  of  the  misfortunes  of  w^ar  that  any  issue, 
whether  successful  or  no*,  leaves  the  parties  in  a 
state  for  which  no  advantige  won  by  force  of  arms 
can  fully  compensate. 

Lieutenant  Taylor  rose,  in  the  first  four  years  of 
liis  service,  to  the  rank  of  captain.  He  was  ordered 
for  duty  in  the  west,  the  uneasy  movements  of  the 
Indian  tribes  in  that  part  of  our  extended  ter- 
ritory rendering  the  presence  of  a  military  force 
necessary.  The  military  establishment  of  the 
United  States  is  nearly  always  disproportioned  to 
the  requirements  of  the  field  in  which  the  troops  are 
called  to  act.  The  proper  jealousy  of  a  repubhc 
like  ours  is  unfavourable  to  the  support  of  a  large 
standing  army ;  and  it  would  sometimes  seem  that 
the  error  of  keeping  too  httle  force  afoot  is  com- 
mitted in  avoiding  the  opposite  extreme.  But 
officers  and  men,  required  to  perform  what  would 
almost  seem  impossibiUties,  are  thus  inured  to  acti- 
vity and  hardship,  and  trained,  even  in  a  time  of 
nominal  peace,  to  most  active  duty.  We  have  no- 
thing remarkable  to  record  of  the  period  between 
1808  and  3  812.      Taylor's    evident    capacity,  his 


28  L  I  F  E     O  P 

rigid  observance  of  the  requirements  of  duty,  and 
his  superior  tact  in  discipline,  caused  his  investment 
with  the  command  of  Fort  Harrison,  in  Indiana,  a 
small,  but  important  post,  situated  in  the  midst  of 
hostile  tribes  of  Indians.  Here  was  obta'ned  his 
first  success,  for  which  President  Madison  onferred 
on  him  the  rank  of  major,  by  brevet.  The  particu- 
lars of  that  engagement  we  reserve  for  another 
chapter ;  and  will  in  this  give  our  readers  an  idea 
of  the  meaning  of  the  term  "brevet,"  which  will 
occur  more  than  once  again  in  the  life  of  the  gal- 
lant Taylor. 

The  number  of  officers  in  the  United  S^Ptes'  ser- 
vice is  regulated  and  determined  by  law.  There 
cannot,  therefore,  be  more  than  a  certain  number 
of  regularly  commissioned  officers.  As  these  die, 
or  are  killed,  or  resign,  the  vacancies  which  occur 
are  filled  by  the  regular  promotion  of  subordinates. 
The  word  "brevet"  is  French,  and  signifies  com- 
mission or  appointment.  But  the  brevet  major  in 
the  United  States  or  British  service  draws  pa}  and 
really  ranks  according  to  his  regular  commissio/i, 
his  brevet  being  a  compliment  to  his  courage  oi 
qualities,  which  merit  more  than  the  regular  routine 
of  service  permits  should  be  conferred.  In  the 
United  States,  however,  by  act  of  Congress.  o"reat€tr 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  29 

advantages  attach  to  a  brevet  commission  than  in 
any  other  country ;  and  since  1818  such  commis- 
sions can  only  be  conferred  with  the  consent  of  the 
Senate.  Brevet  officers  in  the  United  States'  service, 
when  taking  rank  according  to  their  brevet  com- 
missions, draw  pay  and  emoluments  accordingly ; 
and  they  take  this  rank  under  certain  circumstances 
which  it  is  not  necessary  to  specify.  It  is  sufficient 
to  repeat  that  the  brevet  is  one  of  the  most  gratify- 
ing tokens  which  a  meritorious  officer  can  receive 
of  the  approval  of  his  government 


30 


LIFE     OP 


CHAPTER   III. 

Necessary  Enmity  of  the  Indians,  and  its  causes  —  Consequences  of 
admitting  Indians  as  Allies — Tecumseh  and  OUiwachica — Character 
of  Tecumseli — Pretensions  of  the  Prophet — War  of  1812 — Captain 
Taylor  at  Fort  Harrison — Indian  Night- Attack — Firing  of  the  Block- 
house— Gallant  and  successful  Defence. 


HE  aboriginal  inhabitants  of  this  con- 
tinent have  always  been  troublesome 
neighbours  to  the  European  settlers 
and  their  descendants.  This  fact 
arises  in  part  from  the  necessity  of  the  case, 
and  in  part  from  the  injudicious  and  improper 
course  of  the  whites  in  their  intercourse  with 
the  red  men :- — and  this  charge  of  imprudence 
and  wrong,  while  in  much  it  applies  to  governments, 
in  more  is  to  be  urged  against  individuals.  The 
savage  mind  is  unable  to  take  in  the  idea  of  national 
responsibility,  as  civilized  nations  understand  it, 
and  cannot  separate  the  character  of  a  nation  from 
that  of  the  individuals  with  whom  they  are  brought 
in  direct  contact.  In  the  very  nature*  of  things  it 
nas  necessarily  been  the  case  that  the  Indians  have 
suffered  wrong  from  bad  white  borderers.     It  is  un- 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  3) 

fortunate  that  bad  men  everywliere  make  more 
impression  tlian  good ;  and  tlie  venal,  corrupt,  and 
licentious  among  pioneer  settlers,  have  always 
caiised  more  evil  among  the  Indians  than  the  effcrta 
of  the  government,  or  of  conscientious  and  just  indi- 
viduals, could  avert  or  efface. 

A  great  and  prolific  source  of  evil  on  this  con- 
tinent was  sown  long  ago,  when  European  powers 
were  struggling  against  each  other  for  the  possession 
of  it.  The  French  armed  and  led  the  Indian 
against  the  English,  and  the  English  enlisted  the 
savage  against  the  French,  These  terrible  allies 
gave  to  war  in  this  country  a  most  ferocious  aspect. 
Where  havoc  was  cried,  and  such  dogs  of  war  were 
let  loose,  neither  age  nor  sex  was  spared,  and  bar- 
barities were  committed  at  the  relation  of  which 
the  very  blood  is  chilled.  These  cruel  proceedings 
were  earnestly  expostulated  against,  and  condemned 
by  white  teachers — but  what  availed  words  of  re~ 
monstrance  while  the  pale-face  warriors  recognised 
the  Indian  braves,  as  brother  soldiers,  with  all  thei* 
ferocity  1  And  there  was  still  another  adverse  cir- 
cumstance against  the  humanizing  of  Indian  war- 
fare. If  the  savages  in  the  service  of  one  European 
nation  committed  atrocities,  the  other  nation  per- 
mitted, if  they  did   not  encourage   the  Indiana  in 


32  L  I  F  E      O  F 

cheir  pay,  to  do  the  same  thing  by  way  of  retalia- 
tion. 

As  the  aborigines  were  thus  instructed  by  Euro- 
peans, to  take  up  arms,  now  against  this  party  and 
now  against  that,  for  the  service  of  foreign  intru- 
ders ;  and  as  in  these  wars  the  savages  found  them- 
selves in  successive  years  required  to  recognise  one 
nation,  and  then  another,  as  their  "  white  brothers," 
and  one  king,  and  then  another,  as  their  "  great 
father;"  and  as  at  last  the  whole  of  this  somewhat 
involved  system  of  fraternity  was  thrown  into  in- 
extricable confusion,  by  the  letting  loose  of  the 
savages  against  the  Anglo-American  inhabitants, 
whom  the  British  had  always  before  tanght  them 
were  their  brothers  in  especial,  it  is  no  wonder  that 
native  directness  drew  its  own  conclusion  from  these 
tangled  premises.  The  shrewder  among  them  had 
always  regarded  the  whites  in  these  divisions  as  but 
assisting  the  Indians  against  themselves.  The 
savages  warred  against  the  whites  with  their  whole 
hearts,  and  were  always  ready  to  receive  the  alliance 
of  one  part  of  the  common  enemy  against  another. 
It  mattered  little,  in  the  main,  under  whose  banner 
they  skulked  in  the  woods  to  fall  upon  the  border 
settlements,  murder  stragglers,  and  dash  out  the  brains 
of  helpless  infants  and  their  mothers ;  and  while 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  33 

thej  might  act  thus  under  foreign  approval  against 
a  part,  they  undoubtedly  argued  that  their  savage 
but  deep-r(»oted  ideas  of  patriotism,  would  justify 
them  to  do  on  their  own  account  what  they  had 
done  for  others,  and  carry  on  war  against  the 
whole. 

In  the  year  1806  two  far-seeing  and  crafty  In- 
dians arose,  —  men  whose  talents,  had  they  been 
placed  where  their  powers  could  have  been  deve- 
loped in  civilized  diplomacy  and  statesmanship, 
would  have  left  their  mark  upon  the  age.  They 
were  Shawnees,  and  twin  brothers.  Their  names 
are  undoubtedly  familiar  to  our  readers,  one  being 
Tecumseh,  or  "  The  Crouching  Tiger,"  the  other 
Olliwachica,  or  "  The  Loud  Voice,"  generally  called 
the  Prophet.  These  men,  fully  understanding  the 
character  of  their  race,  set  about  improving  native 
shrewdness,  patriotism,  ignorance,  prejudice,  courage 
and  superstition;  —  for  all  these  traits  were  made 
available,  to  effect  a  grand  rally  and  union  of  the 
divided  tribes,  against  the  whites,  whom  they 
regarded  as  the  common  enemy. 

Tecumseh    was    bold    and    sagacious  —  a    tiger 

indeed  in  the  field,  and  a  serpent  in  the  council, 

fie    knew    when    to    dare,    and    when    to    affect 

submission;  and  possessed,  in  fine,  aU  the  charac- 

2*  c 


34  L  I  F  E      O  F 

teristics  of  the  Indian  warrior,  with  other  traits 
which  apparently  belong  to  a  more  civilized  and 
artificial  state  of  society.  As  an  exemplification 
of  this,  he  played  a  part  which  is  exceedingly  rare 
among  Indian  warriors,  who  are  generally  ambitious 
of  individual  fame,  and  jealous  of  rival  distinction, 
even  when  the  good  of  the  whole  is  to  be  consulted 
by  deference  to  the  claims  of  one.  Tecumseh  was 
content  to  be  the  herald  and  missionary  of  his  bro- 
ther the  Prophet,  and,  with  the  great  ultimate  end 
which  he  held  in  view,  to  make  himself  but  the 
shadow  and  messenger  of  one  whom  he  declareu 
everywhere  to  be  the  especial  delegate  and  messen- 
ger of  the  Great  Spirit.  He  travelled  from  tribe  to 
tribe,  asserting  the  wonderful  and  supernatural  quali- 
ties of  his  twin  brother,  and  filled  the  Indian  coun- 
try with  the  fame  of  one  who  in  abihty  for  dissimu- 
lation, and  power  of  fascination  over  his  belie\^ers, 
exceeded  even  the  arch  impostor  Mahomet.  This 
may  at  first  seem  very  exaggerated  language.  But 
the  Arab  had  comparatively  small  odds  to  contend 
against,  and  when  success  commenced,  the  prestige 
of  former  victories  carried  him  forward  to  greater 
and  greater  triumphs;  while  the  Prophet,  with  a 
hopeless  cause  and  invincible  opposition  matched 
against  him  from  the  beginning,  still  retained  his 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  35 

followers  and  his  influence,  in  spite  of  defeat  upon 
defeat,  and  discomfiture  after  discomfiture  With 
the  same  advantages  ;hat  Mahomet  possessed, 
Olliwachica  would  have  founded  as  powerful  a 
djnasty. 

The  Prophet  was  a  warrior  as  well  as  his  brother, 
and  as  an  orator  was  his  superior.  Thus  in  the 
triple  capacity  of  warrior,  orator,  and  magician,  or 
medicine-man,  with  the  support  of  Tecumseh,  it 
will  easily  be  understood  how  he  obtained  his  im- 
mense influence.  The  powers  which  he  claimed 
to  possess  by  the  direct  favour  of  the  Great  Spirit 
were  next  to  infinite.  He  appealed  first  to  the 
Indian  pride  of  race,  by  declaring  that  he  was  sent 
to  abolish  innovations,  and  to  put  away  from  among 
the  Indians  the  religion  of  the  whites,  which  he 
craftily  admitted  the  Great  Spirit  approved  among 
the  Europeans,  but  had  established  another  for  the 
Red  Men,  of  which  he  was  the  Prophet.  He  de- 
claimed against  whiskey-drinking  and  other  vices, 
and  urged  the  Indians  as  one  great  family  to  come 
into  union.  AH  these  instructions  he  suj)ported 
with  incantations  and  pretended  miracles  ;  the  latter 
growing  in  importance,  of  course,  as  the  relators 
were  farther  from  their  reported  scene.  His  im- 
mediate followers  were  said  to  be  living  in  luxury 


36  L  I  F  E      O  F 

and  plenty.  He  conld  produce  from  the  earth,  in 
an  instant  a  pumpkin  as  large  as  a  wigwam  and 
cause  an  ear  of  corn  to  shoot  up,  sufficien*.  to  feed 
a  dozen  men.  He  could  foretell  future  events — and 
to  crown  all  declared  himself  invulnerable  to  the 
assaults  and  shots  of  his  enemies ;  he  promised 
the  same  security  to  all  who  would  faithfully  obey 
him.  Such  were  his  pretensions,  and  they  were 
credited  by  an  immense  number  of  his  countrymen. 
No  matter,  if  those  who  visited  him  did  often  retire 
disgusted  and  perhaps  half-starved.  There  were 
continual  arrivals  to  supply  the  places'  of  deserters, 
and  the  very  deserters  themselves,  such  is  the  power 
of  superstition  over  the  savage  and  untutored  mind, 
only  went  to  a  distance  to  have  their  faith  re-esta- 
blished. Literally  true  is  it  in  such  instances  that 
"  distance  lends  enchantment  to  the  view." 

But  incantations  were  not  the  only  diabolical 
means  to  which  the  brothers  resorted  to  establish 
their  great  confederacy.  Chiefs  who  were  found  to 
be  intractable  were  removed  by  their  machinations, 
and  it  grew  to  be  dangerous  for  an  Indian  to  oppose 
the  Prophet's  friends.  Just  at  this  time  too,  wdien 
war  was  apprehended  between  the  United  States 
and  Great  Britain,  the  "  war  talk  "  did  not  fail  to 
reach  the  quick  ear  of  the  Indian.     Nor,  if  we  may 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  37 

credit  the  admissions  of  the  savages,  and  the  indi- 
cation of  such  a  fact  which  often  presented  them- 
selves, were  the  British  Indian  agents  and  traders, 
slow  to  avail  themselves  of  circumstances  which 
would  become  of  high  importance  to  them,  in  the 
case  of  war  between  the  two  countries.  The  event 
indeed,  may  be  said  to  prove  the  fact ;  for  when 
war  broke  out  between  England  and  America,  the 
rumblings  which  had  long  been  heard  exploded  in 
open  hostility. 

We  shall  not  pursue  the  subject  of  the  Indian 
wars  of  the  west  farther  than  is  necessary  to  the 
elucidation  of  the  life  of  Taylor.  It  was  to  such  a 
field  as  we  have  been  describing,  and  amid  such 
artifices,  commotions  and  alarms  as  it  presented, 
that  he  was  sent  to  acquire  that  knowledge  of  In- 
dian warfare  and  strategy  which  made  him  after- 
ward so  efficient  a  commander  in  Florida.  In 
June,  1812,  war  was  declared  between  the  United 
States  and  Great  Britain,  and  the  fall  of  Detroit 
in  the  month  of  August  opened  immediately  an 
undisguised  border  war  on  the  part  of  the  Indians. 

Captain  Taylor,  while  in  command  at  Fort  Har- 
rison, perceived  in  the  beginning  of  September 
indications  of  the  approach  of  the  hostile  Indians 
Two  young  men,  who  had  been  sent  a  short  dis- 


38  L  I  F  E      O  F 

tance  from  the  fort  on  the  3d  of  September,  failed 
to  return.  Guns  were  heard  in  the  direction  in 
which  thej  were  at  work.  On  the  4th  a  party 
having  been  sent  out  to  seek  them,  discovered  their 
dead  bodies,  with  the  scalp  removed,  as  is  the  uni- 
versal custom  of  the  Indian  warriors.  Great  pre- 
cautions had  before  been  taken  against  surprise, 
and  this  circumstance,  indicating  the  certainty  that 
the  enemy  was  lurking  near,  caused  the  vigilance 
of  the  garrison  to  be  doubled  ;  and  the  event  proved 
that  the  extraordinary  measures  which  had  been 
taken  to  guard  against  a  surprise  were  not  uncalled 
for. 

The  nominal  garrison  was  fifty  men, — of  whom 
twenty  only  were  in  a  condition  for  duty,  and  of 
these  several  were  barely  convalescent,  the  post 
being  an  exceedingly  unhealthy  one.  Captain 
Taylor  himself  had  but  just  recovered  from  a  severe 
attack  of  fever.  In  addition  to  the  circumstance 
of  the  murder  of  the  two  men,  Captain  Taylor  had 
his  apprehensions  of  dangers  strengthened  by  the 
movements  and  reports  of  the  professedly  friendly 
Indians,  some  of  whom  assured  him  that  the  Pro- 
phet's party  were  about  to  commence  hostilities. 
On  the  evening  of  the  4th  a  party  of  the  Prophet's 
people  arrived  with  a  white  flag,  and  threw  out  such 


■  ,i 


:.,M:^y".:fw^ 


H 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  39 

intimations  of  an  intended  friendly  visit  the  nexi 
morning,  as  they  no  doubt  hoped  would  put  the 
garrison  off  its  guard. 

The  fort  was  small,  and  not  very  strongly  built 
The  works  consisted  of  an  upper  and  lower  block- 
house, and  two  bastions.  The  barracks  formed 
part  of  the  defences,  and  adjoined  the  lower  block- 
house. Captain  Taylor  inspected  the  men's  arms, 
finding  them  all  in  good  order,  and  served  out  six- 
teen rounds  of  cartridges  per  man.  As  sentinels 
could  not  be  posted  in  sufficient  numbers  to  see 
every  part  of  the  works,  the  officers  of  the  guard 
were  instructed  to  walk  round  on  the  inner  side 
during  the  whole  night,  in  order  to  guard  against 
any  attempt  at  surprise. 

At  about  eleven  o'clock  Captain  Taylor,  who  as 
we  have  stated  was  an  invalid,  was  awakened  by 
the  gun  of  one  of  the  sentinels.  Instantly  rushing 
out,  he  ordered  the  men  to  their  posts.  In  a  moment 
more  the  cry  of  fire  was  raised — and  all  was  terror 
and  confusion.  Two  of  the  stoutest  men  in  the 
garrison,  on  whom  the  captain  had  counted  particu- 
larly, jumped  the  picket  at  the  first  alarm,  and  fled 
• — and  most  of  the  men  gave  themselves  up  for  lost. 
The  building  fired  was  the  lower  block-house,  in 
w^hich  was  stored  the  property  of  the  contractor. 


40  L  I  F  E     O  F 

including  most  unfortunately  a  quantity  of  whiskey 
This  mischievous  enemy,  a  fit  ally  for  those  with- 
out, took  fire  and  baffled  every  effort  to  subdue  the 
conflagration.  The  raging  of  the  flames,  the  howl- 
ing of  several  hundred  Indians,  now  feeling  sure 
of  their  prey,  the  cries  of  a  number  of  women  and 
children  who  had  taken  shelter  in  the  fort,  and 
above  all  the  despondency  of  the  men,  made  the 
captain's  position  one  in  which  he  might  indeed 
have  been  forgiven  for  want  of  presence  of  mind. 

But  Zachary  Taylor  was  made  of  sterner  stuff. 
He  took  in  at  a  glance  all  the  difficulties  of  the 
dilemma,  and  saw  the  only  hope  of  safety.  The 
discharges  of  guns  on  both  sides  had,  during  this 
time  been  continual ;  but  the  men  who  had  been 
ordered  to  bring  water  to  extinguish  the  fire,  worked, 
either  from  debility  or  hopelessness  of  success,  with 
neither  resolution  nor  activity.  Captain  Taylor 
perceived  that  by  throwing  off  that  part  of  the 
roof  of  the  barracks  w-hich  was  connected  with  the 
block-house,  the  row  of  buildings  might  be  saved 
on  which  depended  the  salvation  of  the  garrison — 
for  the  barrack-walls,  as  before  stated,  formed  a  part 
of  the  defences.  Of  this  he  succeeded  in  convin- 
cing the  men,  and  with  Dr.  Clark  at  their  head,  a 
partj;  ascended  the  roof,  despite  a  shower  of  bullets 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  4l 

Jj-om  the  enemy,  to  whom  they  were  exposed  by 
the  light  of  the  burning  block-house,  and  in  less  than 
a  minute,  they  threw  off  as  much  of  the  roof  as  was 
necessary.  One  man  only  was  killed  in  performing 
this  feat,  and  two  were  wounded. 

Encouraged  by  this  success,  and  above  all  in- 
spired with  firmness  by  perceiving  that  they  had  a 
commander  whose  self-possession  was  equal  to  the 
emergency,  the  able-bodied  men  used  such  exertions 
that  though  the  barracks  were  several  times  on  fire, 
those  buildings  were  not  only  saved,  but  the  gap 
made  by  the  burning  of  the  block-house  was,  during 
the  night,  filled  up  by  the  erection  of  a  temporary 
breastwork,  as  high  as  a  man's  head.  Those  of  the 
garrison  who  were  unable,  from  the  debility  of  sick- 
ness, to  work  in  this  laborious  service,  directed  a 
constant  fire  upon  the  Indians  from  the  other  block- 
house, and  from  the  bastions.  For  seven  hours  the 
[ndians  kept  up  a  heavy  fire  of  ball,  and  showers 
of  arrows ;  but  only  one  man  was  killed  beside  the 
man  on  the  roof,  and  none  were  wounded  except 
the  two  injured  there.  Of  the  two  men  who 
jumped  the  picket  at  the  beginning  of  the  attack, 
one  was  cut  to  pieces  by  the  Indians  before  he  was 
two  hundred  yards  from  the  garrison.  The  othei 
returned  to  the  fort  about  an  hour  befcre  day,  and 


42  L  I  F  E     O  F 

begged  to  be  let  in  at  the  gate.  Captain  Taylor 
did  not  know  his  voice,  and  suspecting  a  stratagem 
of  the  enemy,  ordered  him  to  be  fired  upon  ;  but 
Dr.  Clark,  who  happened  fortunately  to  recollect 
him,  directed  him  to  he  down  close  to  the  pickets 
and  after  day-light  he  was  admitted,  very  badly- 
wounded  by  the  Indians,  and  having  fared  much 
worse  than  if  he  had  remained  and  performed  his 
duty. 

The  Indians  kept  up  their  fire  till  six  o'clock  on 
the  morning  of  the  fifth,  when  they  withdrew  be- 
yond the  reach  of  the  guns  of  the  fort.  The  extent 
of  their  loss  was  never  ascertained,  as  they  removed 
all  their  dead.  Their  disappointment  at  failing  to 
carry  a  place  of  so  little  apparent  capacity  to  resist 
an  attack,  must  have  been  great ;  and  they  consoled 
themselves  in  their  vexation  by  shooting  the  settlers' 
horses  and  hogs  in  sight  of  the  fort,  but  out  of  reach 
of  the  guns  ;  and  by  driving  off  the  cattle  belonging 
to  tJie  army  and  the  citizens. 


GENERALTAYLOR  43 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Deslitulion  of  he  Garrison. — Departure  of  the  Indians. —  Failure  to 
send  Despatches.  —  Arrival  of  Relief.  —  Commendation  of  Major 
General  Hopkins.— Brevet  commission  of  Major. — Avoidance  of 
Ostentation. — Amusin^  Anecdote. — Promotion  to  the  rank  of  Colonel. 


HE  loss  of  that  part  of  the  defences 
which  the  block-house  had  consti- 
tuted before  its  destruction,  was  sup- 
plied by  putting  up  a  strong  row  of 
pickets,  the  materials  for  which  were  oI)tained 
by  taking  down  the  guard-house.  But  the 
destruction  of  the  provisions  which  the  block- 
house contained,  and  of  the  cattle  driven  off 
by  the  enemy,  could  not  be  easily  remedied  ;  and  the 
garrison  were  forced  to  be  content  with  green  corn, 
and  such  other  make-shifts  for  food  as  their  situa- 
tion permitted.  It  was  a  dreary  prospect.  The 
Indians  who  had  been  on  professedly  friendly  terms, 
and  in  the  habit  of  visiting  the  garrison,  were 
among  the  party  that  assailed  the  fort.  Captain 
Taylor  recognised  somp  familiar  voices  in  the  orders 
given  by  the  enemy  during  the  night ;  and  wheu 


44  L  1  F  E      O  F 

day-light  came,  several  of  the  treacherous  fellows 
were  seem  and  recognised  among  the  assailants. 

The  Indians  remained  in  sight  of  the  fort  through 
the  whole  of  the  day  after  the  first  attack  ;  but 
the}  did  not  a  second  time  attempt  it.  On  the  six- 
teenth of  the  month  there  arrived  to  the  relief  of 
the  fort,  a  reinforcement  of  six  hundred  mounted 
men  and  five  hundred  infantry — a  relief  he  more 
gratifying  than  it  was  unexpected.  For  nearly  a 
week  after  the  attack  Captain  Taylor  forbore  to 
attempt  to  forward  despatches,  as  he  was  so  watched 
by  the  Indians  that  to  send  with  any  hope  of  suc- 
cess would  have  too  much  weakened  his  small 
garrison,  and  he  preferred  to  trust  to  the  arrival  of 
assistance  without  his  inviting  it.  On  the  tenth, 
none  having  arrived,  he  attempted  to  send  by  the 
river,  at  night,  but  the  crafty  savages  had  built  a 
fire  on  the  bank  and  established  a  watch,  with  a 
canoe  ready  to  pursue  and  intercept  any  messenger, 
and  the  men  were  compelled  to  return.  It  is  diffi- 
cult to  conce've  a  position  of  more  tantalizing  peril 
and  distress  than  was  here  presented.  A  sickly 
gcrison,  wita  the  means  of  bare  sustenance  only, 
and  thnse  liable  at  any  moment  to  be  cut  off;  and 
hordes  of  savages  skulking  in  readiness  perhaps  to 
renew  the  attack  ;  while  their  vigilance  effectunllj 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  45 

Di evented  any  transmission  of  the  news  of  the 
danger  and  distress  of  the  isolated  band  to  those 
who  might  reheve  it.  But  General  Taylor's  des- 
patches in  reference  to  the  battle  and  to  his  subse- 
quent wants,  show  the  same  modest  simplicity  and 
absen(  e  both  of  bravado  and  of  exaggeration  of  his 
difficulties  which  have  marked  his  later  papers. 
For  a  captain  of  twenty-two  years  of  age,  his  pre- 
sence of  mind  in  danger,  and  his  fortitude  under 
threatening  difficulties,  were  most  remarkable. 

The  defence  of  Fort  Harrison  drew  from  Major 
General  Hopkins,  in  his  despatch  to  Governor 
Shelby,  the  warmest  praise  which  it  was  possible 
for  words  to  convey.  "The  firm  and  almost  unpar- 
alleled defence  of  Fort  Harrison  by  Captain  Zachary 
Taylor  has  raised  for  him  a  fabric  of  character  not 
to  be  affected  by  my  eulogy."  In  the  subsequent 
operations  during  the  war  of  18 J  2  the  duty  of 
Taylor  did  not  lead  him  into  any  scenes  where  he 
had  opportunity  of  individually  distinguishing  him- 
self before  the  eyes  of  the  nation.  He  served  under 
General  Hopkins  in  the  movements  against  the 
Indians  which  resulted  in  the  destruction  of  several 
of  tiieir  towns,  and  in  the  crippling  of  their  resources 
and  intimidation  of  their  daring.  On  reporting 
these  operations  General  Hopkins  speaks  of  Taylor 


46  L  I  F  E      O  P" 

as  "rendering  prompt  and  efficient  aid  in  every  in- 
stance." The  sense  which  the  pubhc  entertained 
of  his  merits  was  well  expressed  by  President  Madi- 
son in  conferring  upon  him  the  rank  of  major  by 
brevet,  dating  from  the  day  of  the  repulse  of  the 
Indians  at  Fort  Harrison. 

Although  Major  Taylor  did  not,  from  this  date 
to  the  time  of  the  Florida  war,  take  the  public 
admiration  again  by  storm,  he  formed,  by  his  steady 
improvement,  a  character  for  efficiency  which  has 
caused  the  government  on  many  occasions  sijice  to 
prefer  him  for  stations  of  peculiar  difficulty  and 
danger.  And  in  the  long  interval  between  the 
peace  of  1812  and  the  date  of  his  service  in  Florida 
in  1837,  the  character  of  the  man  was  becoming 
established  by  an  improvement  of  the  traits  which 
have  been  mentioned  as  marking  him  while  yet  a 
boy.  Ever  avoiding  ostentation,  he  had  the  rare 
faculty  of  admitting  all  to  a  proper  familiarity  with 
him,  without  permitting  it  to  degenerate  into  con- 
tempt. The  sobriquet  of  "Rough  and  Ready," 
conferred  upon  him  by  his  soldiers,  is  by  no  means 
to  he  interpreted  as  indicating  any  affected  disregard 
foi  the  courtesies  of  life,  or  any  assumption  of  the 
foppery  of  dishabille.  He  is  plain,  but  not  shabby 
iu  his  dress  and   Rpnointments,  Mnd  seldom  appears 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  47 

jn  uniform,  except  on  occasions  of  review.  In  a 
word,  his  ideas  of  discipline  are  not  those  of  a 
dandy,  but  of  a  soldier;  and  he  adapts  his  mode  of 
dress  and  living  to  the  time  and  to  the  demand  of 
the  service. 

An  amusing  instance  of  this  is  given  in  a  sketch 
of  his  life  recently  published;*  and  although  the 
anecdote  refers  to  a  later  period  of  his  career,  it 
may  be  inserted  here.  A  gentleman  formerly  in  the 
army,  and  attached  to  Taylor's  regmient,  anJ  per- 
sonally well  acquainted  with  him,  visited  Fort  Jes- 
sup  in  Louisiana,  while  Taylor  was  stationed  at 
that  post ;  but  was  informed  that  his  friend  was  a 
hundred  miles  distant,  attending  a  court-man ial. 
The  gentleman,  walking  one  morning,  met  in  his 
ramble  a  dark  man  jogging  along  toward  the  camp 
on  a  donkey,  with  whom,  as  is  the  western  custom 
on  meeting  a  stranger,  he  exchanged  salutations. 
The  figure  of  the  rider  was  so  unique  that  the  other 
was  induced  to  take  particular  notice  of  him. 
He  was  dressed  in  a  coarse  bombazine  frock  coat, 
and  drab  breeches,  with  the  bottoms  tucked  in  at 
f-he  tops  of  his  boots.  He  had  a  black  cravat  tied 
loosely  round  his  neck,  and  his  broad  coarse  straw 
hat,  as  the  broad  rim  flapped  up  and  down,  showed 

*  Life  of  Major  General  Tay'or,  &c.     By  C.  F.  Powell. 


48  L  I  F  E      O  F 

a  pair  of  lustrous  black  eyes,  and  his  hair  floating 
oil  the  breeze.  Both  rider  and  animal  looked  verj 
much  jaded,  and  were  covered  with  the  dust  and 
mud  of  a  long  journey.  On  the  gentleman's  return 
to  camp,  he  heard  of  the  arrival  of  the  commanding 
officer,  and  was  not  a  little  astonished  to  hear  that 
he  had  passed  his  old  commander  Taylor  without 
recognising  him.  The  two  friends  laughed  heartily 
over  the  circumstance. 

Ridiculous,  however,  as  this  picture  seems,  it  is 
not  such  a  burlesque  as  a  donkey  ride  of  one  hun- 
dred miles  in  regimentals  would  have  been.  It  is 
the  characteristic  of  a  well-balanced  mind  to  accom- 
modate itself  to  circumstances,  and  to  pay  trifles  no 
attention  which  can  make  them  interfere  with  es- 
sentials. The  habit  of  application  and  constant 
industry  leads  our  hero  to  be  inattentive  to  matters 
which  make  up  the  life  of  an  idle  man  ;  and  we  can 
pardon  him  if,  in  the  self-reliance  of  a  rank  which 
owes  nothing  to  favour  and  nothing  to  patronage, 
but  has  been  fairly  earned  by  hard  service,  he  does 
take  some  pride  in  showing  such  a  contempt  for 
appearances  as  would  be  a  hazardous  experiment 
in  a  man  of  less  actual  claim  to  respect.  Having 
the  essentials,  he  can  aflford  to  despise  the  accidents. 
To  this  day  he   neglects  the   insignia   of  rank   to 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  49 

which  he  is  entitled,  and  follows,  in  a  natural  and 
unaffected  manner,  the  republican  simplicity  to 
which  the  turn  of  his  mind  inclines  him.  To  be 
anything  else  than  what  he  is,  would  be  assuming 
a  character,  and  playing  a  part. 

Captain  Taylor  was,  in  1832,  raised  to  the  regu- 
lar or  lineal  rank  of  colonel.  We  must  now  follow 
him  to  a  new  field,  in  which  he  showed  that  al- 
though for  a  long  time  lost  to  the  public  eye,  his 
absence  from  notoriety  had  been  improved  in  per- 
fecting the  soldier  ;  and  that  in  the  interval  of  peace 
he  had,  by  assiduous  attention  to  his  profession, 
prepared  himself  to  justify  the  high  expectations 
which  those  who  knew  him  entertained. 


50 


LIFE     OP 


CHAPTER   V. 

Tlie  Florida  War.  —  Its  wearisome  character.  —  Fruitless  Heroism  of 
our  Troops. — Colonel  Taylor  ordered  to  the  Peninsula. — Failure  of 
the  Cherokee  Mediation.  —  Colonel  Taylor  receives  orders  to  take 
Active  Measures. — Moves  in  execution  of  that  Duty. — Events  of  the 
March. — He  reaches  the  Encampment  of  the  Indian  chief  Alligator 
— Preparations  for  an  Engagement. 


HE  next  scene  of  the  active  services 
of  Colonel  Taylor  was  in  Florida. 
Of  all  the  troublesome  contests  which 
the  United  States  have  been  com- 
pelled to  wage  with  the  Indians,  this  Flo- 
rida war  was  perhaps  the  most  irksome 
The  nature  of  the  country,  while  it  afforded 
the  best  opportuames  for  the  conceaiflient 
of  the  enemy,  is  such  as  to  render  m«ilitary  move- 
ments next  to  impossible ;  and  such  operations  as 
can  be  conducted  must  lack  the  greater  part  of  the 
superiority  which,  on  even  ground,  a  disciplined  and 
well-appointed  army  possesses  over  a  savage  foe. 
Indeed,  Florida  may  be  styled  the  Indian's  own 
battle  ground.  To-day  the  enemy  v^^ould  be  re- 
ported subdued  and  submissive,  ready  to  "come  in," 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  51 

and  consent  to  the  removal,  which  it  was  evident 
could  alone  secure  peace  to  the  Territory.  To- 
morrow the  news  would  be  that  some  indomitable 
warrior,  with  an  unpronounceable  Indian  name  with 
a  terrific  signification,  still  held  back  ;  and  that  with- 
out his  submission  all  the  rest  availed  nothing.  The 
public  ear  was  distracted  with  continual  and  con- 
tradictory rumours.  Sickness  thinned  the  ranks 
of  the  army ;  ambush  and  surprise  cut  off  the  gal- 
lant soldiers  ;  sudden  forays  rendered  the  territory 
for  all  the  purposes  of  settlement  absolutely  useless ; 
and  terrible  murders  of  famiUes  under  the  most  in- 
genious inventions  of  savage  cruelty,  filled  the  ear 
of  the  nation  with  horrors.  The  gallantry  and 
courage  of  our  noble  army  seemed  to  serve  no  other 
purpose,  than  to  furnish  tragical  episodes  in  the  tale 
of  the  protracted  and  wearisome  contest.  The 
hammocks  and  everglades  will  live  in  future  story 
as  the  scenes  of  desperate  heroism,  labonrins  in 
vain  against  inevitable  destruction.  The  futile  but 
brilliant  exploits  of  the  heroes  who  met  death  amid 
the  hammocks  and  the  everglades,  will  be  remem- 
bered when  improvement  shall  bave  so  changed  the 
face  of  the  peninsula,  that  it  will  be  hard  to  realize 
the  fact  that  there  ever  was  a  time  when  its  inte- 
nor  was  deemed  inaccessible. 


52  L  I  F  E      O  F 

To  this  difficult  field  Colonel  Taylor  was  trans- 
ferred early  in  the  war ;  and  to  his  duties  here  he 
applied  the  results  of  his  long  experience  in  Indian 
warfare,  and  the  habits  of  incessant  diligence,  cir- 
cumspectness  and  prudence  which  marked  his  cha- 
racter as  a  commanding  officer.  Our  limits  do  not 
permit  us  to  follow  him  in  all  his  movements ;  nor 
would  it  be  an  interesting  narrative,  since  it  would 
involve  a  series  of  tedious  marchings  and  counter- 
marchings,  made  in  the  vain  effort  to  surround  and 
capture  the  most  artful  bands  of  fugitives  who  ever 
eluded  pursuit.  The  perseverance  of  the  Florida 
Indians  in  resistance  to  the  measures  of  the  United 
States  government,  and  the  manner  in  which  they 
succeeded  so  long  in  eluding  the  force  sent  against 
them,  baffling  commander  after  commander,  and 
starting  up,  hke  the  heads  of  hydra,  in  the  very 
places  where  it  was  thought  they  were  effectually 
cut  off,  is  indeed  one  of  the  most  remarkable  pas- 
sages of  Indian  history.  But  a  specimen  of  its 
details  will  suffice  for  the  whole ;  and  this  we  will 
collect  from  the  despatches  of  Colonel  Taylor. 

In  1837-8,  hopes  were  entertained  of  bringing 
the  war  to  a  close  through  the  mediation  of  a  dele- 
gation of  Cherokees,  representing  the  Indians  who 
had    removed    west   of    the    Mississippi.       These 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  53 

Cherokee  ambassadors  were  brought  to  Florida  in 
the  beHef  that  their  observation  of  the  power  and 
resources  of  the  United  States,  and  of  the  folly  of 
the  Indians  in  contending  against  such  vast  odds, 
together  uith  the  report  they  would  make  of  the 
comfort  of  their  new  location,  would  induce  the 
Seminoles  to  forego  further  efforts  to  resist,  and  to 
surrender  themselves,  without  additional  effusion 
of  blood,  or  expense  of  treasure.  But  it  seemed  as 
if  the  introduction  of  the  new  agent  only  produced 
a  new  series  of  baffling  manoeuvres.  The  Semi- 
noles would  promise  fair,  and  make  professions 
with  every  appearance  of  sincerity,  only  to  evade 
the  fulfilment  of  their  word  when  the  time  arrived 
to  put  their  professions  to  the  proof  The  United 
States  government  was  mortified  to  find  that  all 
these  overtures  had  only  resulted  in  yielding  to  the 
crafty  hostiles  a  respite,  under  the  benefit  of  which 
the  Florida  war,  which  had  been  pronounced 
"ended,"  would,  by  the  benefit  of  the  rest  and  reco- 
very which  the  Indians  had  enjoyed,  be  still  further 
protracted  than  if  no  negotiations  had  been  at- 
tempted. 

At  length,  on  the  19th  of  December,  all  hopes 
through  the  Cherokee  delegation  being  at  an  end, 
Colonel  Taylor  received  orders  to  proceed  without 


54  L  I  F  E      O  F 

delay  against  any  portion  of  the  enemy  he  might 
hear  of,  within  striking  distance.  The  chief  Aviaka, 
or  Sam  Jones,  after  dallying  and  evading  direct  an- 
swers, had  determined,  at  the  head  of  the  Micasu- 
kies,  to  contend  to  the  last ;  and  was  encamped  at 
some  point  in  the  interior  with  all  the  force  he 
could  collect,  rallying  around  him  such  of  the  In- 
dians as  could  be  reached  by  influence  or  by  inti- 
midation. 

On  the  20th,  the  next  day  after  receiving  his 
orders,  Colonel  Taylor  was  in  motion.  Leaving 
an  adequate  force  to  defend  his  depot,  he  left  Fort 
Gardner,  south  of  the  Withlacoochee,  with  be- 
tween ten  and  eleven  hundred  men,  exclusive  of 
officers.  Among  these  were  seventy  Delaware 
Indians.  Of  the  Shawnees,  another  professedly 
friendly  tribe,  the  greater  part  who  were  with  Colo- 
nel Taylor  had  been  detached,  and  the  rest  refused 
to  accompany  the  expedition,  some  under  the  plea 
of  sickness,  and  others  that  they  had  no  moccasins. 
In  the  enlistment  of  Indians  against  Indians  in  the 
Florida  war,  the  red  men  were  almost  invariably 
very  dilatory  and  inefficient,  if  not  treacherous  allies. 
For  their  unwilhngness  to  aid,  we  can  certainly  not 
censure  them ;  and  their  treachery  even,  in  such  a 


GENERAL      TA\LOR.  55 

cause,  it  is  hard  to  condemn  without  very  much 
palliation. 

Colonel  Tajlor  moved  in  a  south-easterly  direc- 
tion toward  the  centre  of  the  peninsula,  which,  in 
this  part  of  the  territory,  is  divided  by  the  river 
Kissimme,  connecting  Lake  Okee-Chobee  with  a 
smaller  lake  to  the  north  of  it.  How  little  is  known 
of  this  country  may  be  judged  from  the  fact  that  the 
sources  of  the  St.  Johns,  the  largest  river  in  Florida, 
which  takes  its  rise  in  the  vicinity  of  these  lakes, 
have  not  yet  been  precisely  determined.  Colonel 
Taylor  moved  in  this  direction  because  he  knew  a 
portion  of  the  hostile  Indians  lurked  there  ;  and 
because  if  General  Jessup  drove  the  Micasukies  from 
the  eastern  side  of  the  peninsula,  across  the  Kis- 
simme, it  would  be  in  his  power  to  intercept  them 
in  their  retreat.  He  expected  also  to  meet  parties 
of  Indians  who  had  proposed  to  give  themselves  up, 
but  were  very  slow  in  coming  in,  willing  apparently 
to  wait  for  the  last  hope  of  escaping  the  alternative. 
These  parties  he  trusted  to  overawe,  and,  indeed, 
to  oblige  to  surrender  at  once.  And  lastly,  he  de- 
sired to  establish  on  the  Kissimme  another  post, 
forty  or  fifty  miles  in  advance  of  his  head-quarters, 
m  order  to  open  a  communication  with  Colonel 
Smilh,  who  was  operating  on  the  Calposehatchee 


56  L  I  F  E     O  F 

It  was  also  of  the  last  importance  to  obtain  and 
perfect  such  a  knowledge  of  the  country  as  should 
put  him  above  dependence  on  Indian  guides.  The 
considerations  by  which  the  expedition  was  planned 
mark  the  skilful  tactitian,  and  the  activity  with 
which  the  movement  was  carried  forward,  the  bold 
warrior. 

Late  in  the  evening  of  the  first  day's  march, 
Colonel  Taylor  met  the  Indian  chief  Jumper  and  a 
part  of  his  band,  including  women,  children,  and 
negroes,  in  all  sixty-three  souls,  conducted  by  a 
half-breed  Shawnee,  Captain  Parks.  Jumper  and 
his  troop  were  sent  on  to  head-quarters  ;  and  on 
the  next  morning,  Parks  accompanying  him.  Colo- 
nel Taylor  proceeded  on  his  march.  He  sent  three 
friendly  Seminoles  ahead  as  scouts,  to  gain  intelli- 
gence. He  also  detached  one  battalion  of  Missouri 
volunteers  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Price,  to  pick 
up  any  stragglers  that  might  fall  in  his  way,  to  en- 
camp three  miles  in  advance,  and  to  give  notice  of 
any  occurrence  important  for  the  commander  to 
know. 

Through  these  arrangements  Colonel  Taylor  re- 
ceived information,  during  the  early  part  of  the 
night,  of  a  camp  fifteen  miles  distant,  at  which  the 
chief  Alligator  had  been  a  few  days  before.     This 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  57 

thief  had  gone  from  his  camp  with  a  part  of  his 
family,  seeking,  as  he  said,  to  detach  his  relations 
from  the  Micasukies,  in  order  that  they  should  sur- 
render with  him.  But  there  were  remaining  at  the 
camp  a  few  families  who  were  ready  to  give  them- 
selves up,  and  would  wait  there  until  the  army  came 
to  take  them,  unless  they  should  in  the  mean  time 
be  forcibly  carried  off  by  the  Micasukies ;  who 
were  reported  to  be  encamped  at  no  great  distance 
from  them. 

Colonel  Taylor  put  himself  at  the  head  of  a 
detachment  of  mounted  men,  and  at  midnight 
pushed  on  for  the  Indian  encampment,  directing 
the  infantry  to  follow  early  in  the  morning.  Such 
is  his  indefatigable  pursuance  of  his  duty  ;  sparing 
himself  no  fatigue  and  no  privation  where  the  exi- 
gencies of  the  service  require  promptitude,  and 
delegating  to  no  one  such  duties  as  he  considers 
may  be  best  performed  by  himself  Soon  after  day- 
light he  took  possession  of  the  encampment,  which 
he  found  had  remained  undisturbed.  It  contained 
one  old  man  and  two  young  ones,  and  severai 
women  and  children,  amounting  in  all  to  twenty- 
two  persons. 

The  old  Indian  gave  Colonel  Taylor  information 

that  the  Micasukies  were  watching  for  an  attack  in 
3* 


68  L  I  F  E     O  F 

their  encampment,  near  Lake  Okee-Chobee,  about 
twenty  miles  distant,  on  the  other  side  of  the 
Kissimme.  He  also  said  that  AlHgator  was  very 
anxious  to  separate  his  people  from  the  Micasukies, 
and  bring  them  in  with  him.  Colonel  Taylor  then 
despatched  the  old  Indian  to  Alligator,  with  in- 
structions to  tell  him,  if  he  was  sincere  in  his  desire 
to  surrender,  to  join  him  where  the  trail  in  which  he 
was  crossed  the  Kissimme,  at  which  place  he  should 
halt  for  the  night.  When  the  infantry  arrived,  Colo- 
nel Taylor  moved  on  to  the  point  designated,  and 
halted. 

At  a  little  before  midnight  the  old  Indian  re- 
turned, bringing  an  equivocal  and  evasive  message 
from  Alligator,  who  seemed  to  desire  to  avoid  com- 
pliance with  the  terms  offered.  Thus  at  every  step 
were  the  commanders  in  the  Florida  war  balked 
with  the  double-dealing  of  the  Indians.  The  mes- 
senger professed  to  have  met  Alligator  by  accident, 
and  there  can  be  little  doubt  that,  with  the  privity 
of  the  Indians  in  the  camp,  the  chief  was  lurking 
near,  and  cognizant  of  all  that  transpired.  The 
old  man  gave  the  information  also  that  the  Mica- 
sukies were  still  where  they  had  been  for  some 
days,  and  awaiting  the  approach  of  the  United  States 
troops 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  59 

These  reports,  and  others  which  came  in  after, 
had  very  much  the  air  of  a  challenge.  The  enemy 
were  evidently  disposed,  having  chosen  their 
ground,  to  put  all  upon  the  hazard  of  an  engage- 
ment. Colonel  Taylor,  to  use  his  own  language, 
"  determined  at  once  to  indulge  them  as  soon  as 
practicable."  But  before  marching  he  laid  out  a 
small  stockade,  for  the  protection  of  a  future  depot, 
according  to  his  original  intention.  In  order  that 
he  might  move  with  the  greater  celerity,  and  dis- 
appoint any  fugitive  fancies  which  the  Indians 
should  still  entertain,  he  deposited  here  his  heavy 
luggage,  including  artillery ;  for  in  the  swamps  and 
everglades  it  was  necessary  often  to  forego  the  ad- 
vantages of  this  arm  of  the  service. 

A  suitable  guard  was  left  at  the  depot,  together 
with  a  number  of  the  sick  and  disabled  infantry. 
A  portion  of  the  friendly  Indians  who  had  come 
thus  far,  now  discovered  that  they  could  go  no  far- 
ther. The  terror  of  meeting  their  friends  in  fight 
— perhaps  shame  and  a  natural  hesitancy — deterred 
them.  The  old  Indian  prisoner,  though  very  reluc- 
tant to  go,  was  taken  along  as  a  guide,  and  Colonel 
Taylor  crossed  the  Kissimme.  Early  the  next 
morning  a  deserted  encampment  of  Alligator  was 
reached,  and  afforded  evidence  that  it  must  have 


60  L  I  F  E      O  F 

been  the  resting-place  of  several  hundred  persons ; 
but  Alligator  himself  and  his  immediate  followers 
were  not  to  be  found.  Concealed,  however,  in  a 
neighbouring  hammock,  was  an  encampment  con- 
taining four  joung  men  and  one  old  one,  who  on 
being  discovered  raised  a  white  flag  as  a  signal  of 
peace  and  submission.  The  men  were  seized  — 
the  women  and  children  made  their  escape  into  the 
swamp,  where  no  steps  were  taken  to  pursue  them. 
The  men  were  Seminoles,  and  claimed  to  be 
friendly.  As  was  usually  the  case  when  in  this 
stage  of  the  war  Indians  were  caught,  they  were 
just  on  the  point  of  coming  in;  and  were  only 
waiting  to  cure  some  beef  which  they  had  recently 
killed.  Colonel  Taylor,  though  with  little  faith  in 
their  promises,  released  the  old  man,  who  engaged 
to  collect  the  women  and  children,  and  conduct 
them  to  Captain  Munroe,  the  officer  in  charge  of 
the  post  just  established  on  the  Kissimme.  At  this 
stage  of  his  progress  Colonel  Taylor  had  no  leisure 
to  pursue  the  fugitives,  nor  could  he  have  been 
encumbered  with  such  prisoners.  He  also  released 
the  other  old  man  who  had  thus  far  been  their  un- 
willing guide;  and  with  the  four  young  men  jusl 
captured,  proceeded  in  tlie  direction  of  the  camp 
cf  the  Mickasukies. 


GENERAl       TAYLOR.  61 

Between  two  and  three  in  the  afternoon,  Colonel 
Taylor  reached  a  dense  cypress  swamp,  which  it 
was  necessary  to  cross.  Here  would  have  been  a 
place  affording  the  enemy  every  ^icility  for  repulsing 
the  advance ;  and  the  four  men  who  acted  as  guides 
warned  Colonel  Taylor  that  in  this  place  an  attack 
might  be  expected.  Preparations  were  made  ac- 
cordingly, but  no  enemy  appeared,  and  the  long 
day's  work  was  closed  by  crossing  the  swamp.  Two 
Indian  spies  were  encountered,  one  mounted,  and 
the  other  on  foot.  The  latter  was  secured,  and 
confirmed  the  information  before  received  of  the 
position  of  Sam  Jones,  with  the  Micasukies.  He 
also  stated  that  a  large  body  of  the  Seminoles  were 
encamped  near  the  Micasukies,  and  that  John 
Cohua,  Co-a-coo-chee,  Alligator,  and  no  doubt 
other  chiefs,  were  with  them. 

The  night  must  have  been  an  anxious  one  for 
Colonel  Taylor.  Here  he  was,  at  last,  within  a 
few  miles  of  the  renowned  Sam  Jones  and  his 
warriors.  Alligator  and  the  other  Seminoles,  who 
had  so  often  promised  to  "come  in,"  that  the  phrase 
had  become  a  joke  in  the  ranks,  were,  from  all 
indications,  about  to  join  their  force  with  the  Mica- 
sukies ;  if  indeed  they  had  not  already  done  so 
The  army  had  reached  this  point  with  incredible 


62  L  I  F  E      O  F 

fatigue,  and  moved  with  sucli  expedition  as  to  com- 
pel the  rehnquishment  of  their  artillery.  That  in 
none  of  the  exposed  situations  in  which  they  had 
been  placed,  they  had  been  attacked,  was  either  an 
indication  that  Colonel  Taylor's  precautions  left 
the  Indians  no  hope  of  making  an  impression,  or  it 
was  an  evidence  that  the  enemy  was  saving  and 
concentrating  his  strength  for  a  last  and  desperate 
struggle.  Colonel  Taylor  must  have  admired  the 
desperate  courage  of  the  foe,  thus  to  summon  his 
forces  for  a  trial  of  such  imminent  consequence. 
He  is  too  good  a  soldier  not  to  respect  courage  in 
a  Red  Man  or  Pale  Face.  With  all  the  savage 
properties  of  the  Indian,  there  is  a  stern  sublimity 
in  his  resolution;  and  a  thought  of  sorrow  and  pity 
must  cross  the  mind  at  the  melancholy  fate  of  a 
foe,  who,  however  he  may  be  considered,  cannot  be 
despised. 

We  have  been  thus  particular  in  relating  the 
events  of  this  march,  in  order  that  our  readers  may 
appTcciate  the  difficulties  of  a  Florida  campaign. 
Add  to  what  we  have  here  described  the  sudden 
shot  from  a  covert,  the  frequent  death  of  a  straggler 
in  the  sight  of  comrades,  unable  to  resist  or  inter- 
cept the  unseen  foe ;  and  the  sternly  presented 
resistance  where  the  ground  afforded  cover,  though 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  G3 

but  for  an  instant — and  jou  have  a  faint  picture  of 
the  difficulties,  danger  and  hardships  of  the  Flo- 
rida war  : — a  war  for  which  our  gallant  army  has 
scarcely  received  that  commendation  to  which 
their  arduous  services  so  justly  entitle  them, — and 
which  would  undoubtedly  have  been  freely  bestowed 
if  the  same  valour  and  devotion  had  been  exercised 
on  a  fair  field,  ia  conflict  with  a  civihzed  opponent 


64  L  I  F  £     O  F 


CHAPTER  VI. 

\ttack  on  the  camp  of  the  Indians — Fall  of  Colonel  Gentry — Gallant 
conduct  of  the  fourth  and  sixth  Infantry — Terrible  Slaughter  of  Offi- 
cers— Flight  of  the  Enemy — Care  of  the  Wounded — Reflections  on 
the  scene — Return  to  Fort  Gardner — Colonel  Taylor  brevetted  Briga- 
dier General — Close  of  his  Services  in  Florida — Relieved  by  Briga- 
dier General  Armistead. 


T  daylight  on  the  next  morning  the 
army  resumed  its  march,  and  reached 
another  cypress  swamp,  on  the  bor- 
ders of  which  was  a  deserted  en- 
campment of  tlie  Seminoles.  It  must  have 
been  abandoned  in  great  haste,  as  the  fires 
were  still  burning,  and  beef  was  lying  about 
upon  the  ground.  At  this  place,  as  it  was 
bu.'"  reasonable  to  apprehend  an  attack  might  be 
intended,  the  troops  were  disposed  in  order  of  battle, 
but  no  enemy  appeared,  and  the  army  crossed  over 
the  swamp  at  11  o'clock,  A.  M.  After  crossing  the 
swamp,  the  command  captured  an  Indian  warrior, 
who  pointed  to  a  dense  hammock,  about  a  mile  dis- 
tant, in  which  he  said  the  hostile  Indians  were 
waiting  to  give  battle  to  the  advancing  army.    The 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  65 

account  of  the  engagement  we  present  in  the  Colo- 
nel's own  language. 

*'At  this  place  the  final  disposition  was  made  to 
attack  them,  which  was  in  two  lines  ;  the  volunteers 
under  Gentry,  and  Morgan's  spies,  to  form  the  first 
line  in  extended  order,  who  were  instructed  to  enter 
the  hammock,  and,  in  the  event  of  being  attacked 
and  hard  pressed,  were  to  fall  back  in  rear  of  the 
regular  troops,  out  of  reach  of  the  enemy's  fire;  the 
second  line  was  composed  of  the  4th  and  6th  infan« 
try,  who  were  instructed  to  sustain  the  volunteers, 
the  J  St  infantry  being  held  in  reserve. 

"  Moving  on  in  the  direction  of  the  hammock, 
after  proceeding  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  we 
reached  the  swamp  which  separated  us  from  the 
enemy,  three-quarters  of  a  mile  in  breadth,  being 
totally  impassable  for  horse,  and  nearly  so  for  foot 
covered  with  a  thick  growth  of  saw-grass  five  feet 
high,  about  knee-deep  in  mud  and  water,  which 
extended  to  the  left  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach, 
and  lo  the  right  to  a  part  of  the  swamp  and  ham- 
mock we  had  just  crossed,  through  which  ran  a 
deep  creek.  At  the  edge  of  the  swamp  all  the  men 
were  dismounted,  and  the  horses  and  baggage  left 
under  a  suitable  guard.  Captain  Allen  was  detached 
with  the  two  companies  of  mounted  infantry  to  ex- 

E 


66  L  I  F  E      O  F 

amine  the  swamp  and  hammock  to  the  right ;  and, 
in  case  he  should  not  find  the  enemy  in  that  direc- 
tion, was  to  return  to  the  baggage,  and,  in  the  event 
of  his  hearing  a  heavj  firing,  was  immediately  to 
join  me. 

"After  making  these  arrangements,  I  crossed  the 
swamp  in  the  order  stated.  On  reaching  the  bor- 
ders of  the  hammock,  the  volunteers  and  spies 
received  a  heavy  fire  from  the  enemy,  which  was 
returned  by  them  for  a  short  time,  when  their  gal- 
lant commander,  Colonel  Gentry,  fell,  mortally 
wounded.  They  mostly  broke,  and  instead  of  form* 
ing  in  the  rear  of  the  regulars,  as  had  been  directed, 
they  retired  across  the  swamp  to  their  baggage  and 
horses,  nor  could  they  be  again  brought  into  action 
as  a  body,  although  efforts  were  made  repeatedly 
by  my  staff  to  induce  them  to  do  so. 

"  The  enemy,  however,  were  promptly  checked 
and  driven  back  by  the  4th  and  6th  infantry,  which 
in  truth  might  be  said  to  be  a  moving  battery.  The 
weight  of  the  enemy's  fire  was  principally  concen- 
trated on  five  companies  of  the  6th  infantry,  which 
not  only  stood  firm,  but  continued  to  advance  until 
their  gallant  commander.  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Thompson,  and  his  adjutant.  Lieutenant  Center, 
were  killed  ;  and  every  officer,  with  one  exception, 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  61 

as  well  as  most  of  the  non-commissioned  officers^ 
including  the  sergeant-major  and  four  of  the  orderly 
sergeants,  killed  and  wounded  of  those  companies; 
when  that  portion  of  the  regiment  retired  to  a  short 
distance  and  were  again  formed,  one  of  these  ccm- 
panies  having  but  four  members  left  untouched. 

"  Lieutenant  Colonel  Foster,  with  six  companies, 
amounting  in  all  to  one  hundred  and  sixty  men, 
gained  the  hammock  in  good  order,  where  he  was 
joined  by  Captain  Noel,  with  the  two  remaining 
companies  of  the  6th  infantry,  and  Captain  Gillam, 
of  Gentry's  volunteers,  with  a  few  additional  men, 
and  continued  to  drive  the  enemy  for  a  considerable 
time,  and  by  a  change  of  front  separated  his  line, 
and  continued  to  drive  him  until  he  reached  the 
great  lake  Okee  Chobee,  which  was  in  the  rear  of 
the  enemy's  position,  and  on  which  their  encamp- 
ment extended  for  more  than  a  mile.  As  soon  as 
I  was  informed  that  Captain  Ahen  was  advancing, 
I  ordered  the  first  infantry  to  move  to  the  left,  gain 
the  enemy's  right  flank  and  turn  it,  which  order 
was  executed  m  the  promptest  manner  possible; 
and  as  soon  as  that  regiment  got  in  position,  the 
enemy  gave  one  fire  and  retreated,  being  pursued 
by  the  1st,  4th,  and  6th,  and  some  of  the  volunteers 
who  had  joined  them,  mitil  near  night,  and  until 


68  L  I  F  E     O  F 

these  troops  were  nearly  exhausted,  and  the  eneni}' 
driven  in  all  directions. 

"  The  action  was  a  severe  one,  and  continued 
from  half-past  twelve  until  after  three,  P.  M.,  a  part 
of  the  time  very  close  and  severe.  We  suffered 
much,  having  twenty-six  killed  and  one  hundred 
and  twelve  wounded,  among  whom  are  some  of  our 
most  valuable  officers.  The  hostiles  probably  suf- 
fered, all  things  considered,  equally  with  ourselves, 
they  having  left  ten  dead  on  the  ground,  besides, 
doubtless,  carrying  off  many  more,  as  is  customary 
with  them  when  practicable. 

"As  soon  as  the  enemy  were  completely  broken, 
I  turned  my  attention  to  taking  care  of  the  wound- 
ed, to  facilitate  their  removal  to  my  baggage,  where 
I  ordered  an  encampment  to  be  formed  ;  I  directed 
Captain  Taylor  to  cross  over  to  the  spot,  and  em- 
ploy every  individual  whom  he  might  find  there  in 
constructing  a  small  footway  across  the  swamp ; 
this,  with  great  exertions,  was  completed  in  a  short 
time  after  dark,  when  all  the  dead  and  wounded 
were  carried  over  in  litters  made  for  that  purpose, 
with  one  exception,  a  private  of  the  4th  infantry, 
who  was  killed  and  could  not  be  found. 

"And  here,  I  trust  I  may  be  permitted  to  say  that 
I  experienced  one  of  the  most  trying  scenes  of  my 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  69 

life,  and  he  who  could  have  looked  on  it  with  in- 
difference, his  nerves  must  have  been  very  differ- 
ently organized  from  my  own ;  besides  the  killed, 
there  lay  one  hundred  and  twelve  wounded  offij^ers 
and  soldiers,  who  had  accompanied  me  one  hundred 
and  forty-five  miles,  most  of  the  way  through  an 
unexplored  wilderness,  without  guides,  who  had  so 
gallantly  beaten  the  enemy,  under  my  orders,  in  his 
strongest  position,  and  who  had  to  be  conveyed 
back  through  swamps  and  hammocks,  from  whence 
we  set  out,  without  any  apparent  means  of  doing 
so.  This  service,  however,  was  encountered  and 
overcome,  and  they  have  been  conveyed  thus  far,* 
and  proceeded  on  to  Tampa  Bay,  on  rude  litters, 
constructed  with  the  axe  and  knife  alone,  with 
poles  and  dry  hides — the  latter  being  found  in  grea' 
abundance  at  the  encampment  of  the  hostiles.  The 
litters  were  conveyed  on  the  backs  of  our  weak  and 
tottering  horses,  aided  by  the  residue  of  the  com- 
mand, with  more  ease  and  comfort  to  the  sufferer:^ 
than  I  could  have  sitpposed,  and  with  as  mucli  a- 
they  could  have  been  in  ambulances  of  the  niosi 
improved  and  modern  construction.'' 

The  day  after  the  battle  was  occupied  in  takinj^ 

♦The  despatch  from  wliich   this  is  extracted   is   dated  fix  in 
Head  Q-jarters,  after  the  return. 


70  L  I  F  E      O  F 

care  of  the  wounded,  and  burying  the  dead.  On 
the  morning  of  the  27th  December,  Colonel  Taylor 
commenced  his  return,  and  reached  Fort  Gardner, 
whence  he  had  started,  on  receiving  the  orders  of 
General  Jessup.  A  summary  of  the  doings  of  the 
command  of  Colonel  Taylor  is  given  in  his  despatch 
as  follows.  It  will  be  observed  that  the  six  weeks' 
work,  embraces  about  four  previous  to  the  date  at 
which  begin  our  record  of  Colonel  Taylor's  move- 
ment upon  Okee-Chobee. 

'•  This  column,  in  six  weeks,  penetrated  one 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  into  the  enemy's  country, 
opened  roads,  and  constructed  bridges  and  cause- 
ways, when  necessary,  on  the  greater  portion  of  the 
route,  established  two  depots,  and  the  necessary 
defences  for  the  same,  and  finally  overtook  and  beat 
the  enemy  in  his  strongest  position.  The  results 
of  which  movement  and  battle  have  been  the  cap- 
ture of  thirty  of  the  hostiles,  the  coming  in,  and 
surrendering  of  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty 
Indians  and  negroes,  mostly  the  former,  including 
the  chiefs  Ou-la-too-chee,  Tus-ta-nug-gee,  and  other 
principal  men,  the  capturing  and  driving  out  of  the 
country  six  hundred  head  of  cattle,  upwards  of  one 
hundred  head  of  horses,  besides  obtaining  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  country  through  which  we  ope- 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  71 

rated,  a  greater  portion  of  which  was  entirely  un- 
known, except  to  the  enemy." 

The  remaining  part  of  Colonel  Taylor's  despatch 
IS  devoted  to  particularising  the  services  of  the 
officers  and  men.  We  regret  that  our  limits  do 
not  permit  that  we  should  here  record  what  is  said 
in  honour  of  the  individuals  and  companies  which 
distinguished  themselves  in  this  hard-fought  engage- 
ment. Feeling  tributes  of  praise  are  paid  to  Colo- 
nel Gentry  of  the  Missouri  volunteers,  who  died  in 
a  few  hours  after  the  battle  ;  to  Lieutenant  Colonel 
A.  R.  Thompson,  who  fell  instantly  dead  at  the 
head  of  his  regiment,  having  previously  received 
two  severe  wounds,  which  he  disregarded  ;  and  to 
Captain  Van  Swearingen,  and  Lieutenants  Brooke 
and  Center,  whose  lives  were  also  among  the  price 
paid  for  the  victory  at  Okee-Chobee. 

The  results  of  the  engagement  were  most  im- 
portant ;  and  it  may  indeed  be  said  that  it  finished 
the  Florida  war.  The  appreciation  of  Colonel 
Taylor's  services  which  the  government  and  people 
entertained  was  marked  by  his  brevet  appointment 
of  Brigadier  General,  dating  from  the  battle  of 
Okee-Chobee.  After  the  battle,  Colonel  Taylor  esta- 
blished himself  at  Fort  Bassingeron  the  Kissimme  ; 
and   in   March,  a    temporary  arrangement    having 


72  L  I  F  R      O  F 

been  made  with  the  Seiiiiiioles  lo  secure  the  countrj 
chronghout  the  summer,  Colonel  Taylor  was  in- 
vested with  the  command  of  the  frontier  posts.  In 
April,  the  whole  command  in  Florida  was  turned 
over  to  Brigadier  General  Taylor,  and  Genera! 
Jessup  repaired  to  Washington  to  resume  the  duties 
of  Quarter  Master  General. 

General  Taylor — by  that  title  we  shall  hence- 
forward designate  him — was  no  less  active  after  the 
battle  of  Okee-Chobee  than  before.  Jumper,  Alli- 
gator, and  other  chiefs  and  vv'arriors  came  in  at  last, 
and  the  General  skilfully  made  use  of  their  influence, 
and  of  all  other  means  which  his  active  mind  and 
ripe  experience  suggested,  to  bring  about  peace  and 
reconciliation.  In  this  laborious  duty  he  remained 
until  the  beginning  of  the  year  1840,  when,  at  his 
request,  he  was  relieved,  and  Brigadier  General 
Armistead  took  his  post.  He  had  done  well  for  his 
country  in  the  arduous  years  which  he  spent  amid 
the  inhospitalities  of  a  sickly  region — and  he  had 
done  humanity  a  vast  service,  in  bringing  to  a  close 
a  most  destructive  and  cruel  condition  of  hostilities. 
Little  could  he  imagine  that  a  career  was  still  before 
him  in  which  his  brilliant  exploits  would  bring  out 
in  so  strong  a  light  as  has  been  the  case,  the  meri- 
torious character  of  his  previous  life  of  comparatively 
obscure  fortitude.  1nbo!ir,  and  self-denial. 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  73 


CHAPTER   VII. 

9eneral  Taylor  ordered  to  the  Southwest.  —  Movements  of  the  Army 
of  0«3npation. — Depot  established  at  Point  Isabel.— Arrival  before 
Matamoras.  —  Mexican  Proclamation,  —  Mexican  newspapers.  — > 
Arrival  of  Ampudia  at  Matamoras.  —  Incitements  to  Desertion.— 
Deaths  of  Colonel  Cross  and  Lieutenant  Porter. — Answer  of  General 
Taylor  to  Ampudia's  Summons. 


GENERAL  TAYLOR  was  now  or- 

dered  to  the  Southern  Department, 
including   the  States   of  Louisiana, 
Mississippi,  Alabama,  and  Georgia, 
ig  occurred  which   it  is  necessary  to 
^    note,   until  General   Taylor  was    placed   in 
^V      command    of   the    "  Army  of   Occupation," 
"       and  ordered  upon  the  duties  which  have  led 
to  his  subsequent  series  of  remarkable  military  ex- 
ploits.    The  causes  which  occasioned  the  war  with 
Mexico  have  been,  and  still  are,  the  subject  of  ear- 
nest discussion   among  statesmen   and   pohticians  ; 
and  it  is  impossible  in  a  work  of  this  kind  tf  review 
a  long  series  of  events,  the  commencement  of  which 
may  be  dated  from  the  day  when  the  Mexican  state 
of  Texas  refused  to  accede  to  the  revoluiiou  which 
4 


74  L  I  F  E      O  F 

a  military  few  had  decreed  ;  or  to  submit  to  a  cen- 
tralization that  would  destroy  that  respect  for  "  state 
rights"  which  alone  can  make  different  common- 
wealths strong  in  a  confederacy,  while  each  sepa- 
rate state  remains  strong  in  itself  Separation  of 
Texas  from  Mexico  followed,  and  then  annexation 
to  the  United  States;  and  with  the  new  state 
of  Texas,  this  country  assumed  also  her  boundary 
disputes  with  the  Mexicans.  Indeed,  the  United 
States  assumed  much  more.  The  Mexican  autho- 
rities have  never  recognised  the  independence  of 
Texas,  or  ceased  to  speak  of  it  on  certain  occa- 
sions as  a  Mexican  province,  although  incidental 
and  unguarded  recognitions  of  the  separation  of 
Texas  from  Mexico  have  been  made. 

The  first  position  taken  by  General  Taylor  was 
at  Corpus  Christi,  where  he  remained  from  August, 
1845,  to  March,  1846  ;  with  instructions  to  repel 
any  Mexican  invasion  of  Texan  territory.  On  the 
J  1th  of  March,  General  Taylor  moved  westward, 
ander  orders  from  the  government  at  Wasliington ; 
and  on  the  20th  reached  the  River  Colorado,  where 
indications  of  an  intention  to  resist  the  movement 
were  apparent  on  the  part  of  the  Mexicans.  Gen- 
eral Taylor  was  warned,  in  a  formal  note  from  the 
Mexican   commander,  that  if  he  should'  cross  the 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  75 

Colorado,  such  a  movement  would  be  considered  a 
declaration  of  war,  and  be  followed  by  actual  hosti- 
lities. The  American  commander  made  such  dis- 
positions as  would  enable  him  to  force  a  passage, 
should  it  become  necessary,  and  the  passage  of  the 
Colorado  was  made  on  the  22d.  No  enemy  ap- 
peared, however,  and  no  obstruction ;  although 
Mexican  troops  had  previously  to  this  date  crossed 
the  Rio  Grande.  They  were  not  met  in  force  until 
the  famous  day  of  Palo  Alto. 

On  the  24th,  with  a  body  of  dragoons,  General 
Taylor  reached  Point  Isabel.  Here  he  was  met  by 
a  flag  of  truce  from  General  Mejia,  bearing  a  pro- 
clamation protesting  against  invasion.  General 
Taylor  deferred  his  reply  to  the  28th,  when  he 
said  he  would  answer  General  Mejia  at  a  post  oppo- 
site Matamoras.  The  Mexicans  in  charge  of  Point 
Isabel  abdicated  that  post,  first  firing  the  public 
buildings,  and  General  Taylor  took  possession  of  it 
as  his  depot,  it  being  the  nearest  and  most  eligible 
position  at  which  supplies  could  be  landed  from 
vessels  in  the  Gulf  for  the  operations  of  the  army. 
On  the  28th,  according  to  his  appointment  with  the 
Mexicans,  General  Taylor  was  opposite  Matamoras, 
and  encamped  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  Rio 
Grande — that  river  being  the  boundary  claimed  by 


76  L  I  F  E     O  F 

Texas.  On  his  way  to  the  river  from  Point  Isabel, 
it  is  remarkable  that  General  Taylor  designated 
Resaca  de  la  Palma  as  a  place,  the  natural  features 
of  which  indicated  its  probable  selection  as  a  battle- 
field. On  the  very  day  of  his  arrival,  Genenil  Tay- 
lor sent  General  Worth  and  staff  with  despatches 
to  the  Mexican  commanders,  but  after  much  parley 
and  delay  the  reception  of  the  despatches  was 
refused  by  the  Mexicans  ;  and  an  opportunity  to  con- 
fer with  the  American  Consul  at  Matamoras  was 
also  refused.  We  may  observe  here,  that  pending 
the  movements  which  resulted  in  the  occupation  of 
Matamoras  by  the  Americans,  the  consul  was  or- 
dered away  from  his  residence ;  to  which  he 
returned  after  the  evacuation  of  Matamoras  by  the 
Mexican  authorities. 

The  eyes  of  the  whole  people  of  the  United 
States  were  now  directed  toward  the  camp  of  Gen- 
eral Taylor,  opposite  Matamoras ;  but  even  up  to 
the  very  hour  when  the  news  of  the  battle  of  Palo 
Alto  was  received,  it  was  a  subject  of  uncertainty 
what  course  the  Mexicans  would  pursue  in  this 
dilemma.  Their  threats  and  proclamations  would 
have  left  no  doubt,  had  the  authors  of  these  tremen- 
dous missives  been  any  other  than  Mexican  officers. 
But  these  same  §[enerals  had  so  often  in  the  intes 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  77 

tine  wars  of  their  own  country  used  the  hke  fearful 
language  of  threatening  against  each  other,  and  the 
encounters  thus  preluded  had  so  generally  ended  as 
they  began,  in  words,  or  in  engagements  ridiculously 
disproportioned  to  the  note  of  preparation,  that  the 
people  of  the  United  States  had  learned  to  regard 
Mexican  threats  with  a  mingled  smile  of  incredulity 
and  pity. 

General  Taylor  commenced  at  once  erecting 
defences  on  the  banks  of  the  Rio  Grande.  General 
Canales,  of  the  Mexican  army,  in  a  despatch  to 
Ampudia,  thus  noticed  the  proceedings :  "  The 
Yankees  are  still  in  front  of  Matamoras,  doing  as 
the  monkeys  do.  If  we  throw  up  a  fortification,  they 
throw  up  another."  Whether  the  tone  of  contempt 
which  the  Mexican  proclamations  have  displayed 
for  the  Americans  be  real  or  affected,  it  would  be 
sufficiently  amusing,  only  that  the  farce  has  been 
followed  by  tragedies  so  fearful.  The  rhodomon- 
tade  of  the  Mexican  newspapers  can  be  better  over- 
looked, but  the  result  has  been  such  as  to  make  in- 
flated gasconade  like  the  following  appear  ridiculous 
and  yet  melancholy.  After  the  interview  between 
General  Worth,  on  the  American  side,  and  General 
Vega,  on  the  Mexican,  the  "Republican  Monitor," 
of  Matamora:3.  says,  "  The  interview  being  over,  the 


78  L  I  F  E      O  F 

fire  was  about  to  be  opened  by  our  batteries,  this 
honour  being  disputed  among  the  valiant  soldiers 
who  cover  them  ;  but  it  was  necessary  to  suspend 
a  proceeding  suggested  by  enthusiasm,  inasmuch  as, 
there  being  a  pretty  deep  river  intervening,  the 
bayonets  and  spears,  which  are  the  arms  most 
dreaded  by  the  contemptible  enemy  in  front,  these 
unquestionable  advantages  over  him  could  not  be 
used  ;  and  all  that  could  be  done  was  to  exchange 
cannon-shots  leading  to  a  useless  effusion  of  blood. 
*  *  *  Although  the  enemy  are  superior  in  num- 
bers, his  excellency  General  Mejia  and  his  soldiers, 
have  shed  patriotic  tears  on  seeing  the  deep  river 
which  prevents  them  from  cutting  to  pieces  the  per- 
fidious invader." 

Making  all  allowance  for  the  peculiar  genius  of 
the  Spanish  language,  and  the  style  of  expression 
which  strikes  the  Anglo-Saxon  ear  as  so  ridiculous 
in  the  translation,  the  extract  we  have  given  appears 
sufficiently  bombastic  and  foolish.  It  is  to  be  re- 
gretted that  American  writers  and  speakers  have  not 
in  all  instances  avoided  the  error  which  in  the  Mexi- 
cans seem  so  foolishly  absurd ;  but  the  exceptions  to  a 
generally  magnanimous  mode  of  treating  the  Mexi- 
cans are  comparatively  few.  They  have  certainly 
^lown  themselves  a  most  courageous  enemy.     As 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  79 

to  the  despatches  of  General  Taylor,  they  form  a 
collection  of  papers  remarkable  for  their  modesty 
of  lano;uage,  and  a  terse  brevity  that  yet  leaves  the 
narrative  sufficiently  perspicuous. 

The  Mexicans  are  no  less  Americans  than  the 
citizens  of  the  United  States,  but  we  shall  find  it 
necessary  to  apply  the  term  to  our  troops  for  con- 
venience of  expression.  It  is  an  event  much  to  be 
regretted,  whatever  may  have  been  its  origin  and 
causes,  that  the  term  American  does  not  unite  us 
all  in  one  brotherhood  of  friendship,  as  it  defines 
the  geographical  site  of  both  countries.  To  resume 
our  narrative  :  on  the  11th  of  April,  General  Am- 
pudia  marched  into  Matamoras  with  a  reported 
force  of  twenty-five  hundred  men,  to  reinforce  the 
garrison  of  that  post.  Hostile  demonstrations  had 
meanwhile  been  continually  proceeding  on  the  side 
of  Matamoras  ;  and  among  the  machinery  used  was 
one  old  as  the  practice  of  war — to  wit,  attempts  to 
induce  desertions  from  the  American  Armv  to  the 
flag  of  the  "  magnanimous  Mexican  nation."  A 
copy  of  a  proclamation  addressed  to  soldiers  of 
foreign  birth  in  the  American  Army,  and  signed  by 
General  Ampudia,  fell  into  the  hands  of  General 
Taylor.  Its  inflated  style  fell  on  cold  ears ;  and  if 
was  treated  with  contempt.     Some  desertions  had 


80  L  I  F  E      O  F        «^ 

however,  occurred  previously  to  the  discovery  of 
this  missive ;  but  a  check  was  put  upon  those 
attempts  by  shooting  the  deserters,  one  man  oeing 
killed  by  a  sentinel  after  he  had  crossed  the  river, 
and  was  ascending  the  opposite  bank.  The  plan 
of  attempting  to  seduce  by  proclamations  was  how- 
ever again  resorted  to,  once  if  not  oftener  during 
the  month  of  April,  by  Arista  ;  and  the  second 
proclamation  was  drawn  up  with  much  more  address 
and  ingenuity  than  Ampudia's.  The  American  sol- 
diers are  appealed  to  as  men  who  enlisted  in  time 
of  peace  to  serve  a  specific  term,  but  whose  obli- 
gation did  not  imply  warring  with  Mexico  !  Such 
is  the  gist  of  the  argument,  and  as  we  have  inti- 
mated, it  was  very  skilfully  presented,  nowithstand- 
ing  the  absurdity  it  conveys  that  soldiers,  enlisting 
in  time  of  peace,  are  released  from  serving  in  case 
the  very  exigency  for  which  they  are  supported 
should  happen. 

The  day  before  the  arrival  of  Ampudia,  Colonel 
Cross,  the  deputy  quarter-master  general,  disap- 
peared. Every  effort  was  made  to  ascertain  his 
fate,  but  it  was  not  discovered  until  twelve  days 
afterward,  when  his  body  was  found,  where  he  had 
been  murdered.  The  Mexican  officers  attributed 
the  deed,  and  probably  with  truth,  o  an  irresponsi 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  8J 

bh  band  of  rancheros.  This  was  the  first  hfe  lost 
in  the  Mexican  war.  The  next  were  those  of 
Li3utenant  Porter  and  three  privates  of  a  recon- 
noitring party,  who  were  fired  upon  by  the  Mexi- 
cans, on  their  return  to  camp  on  the  night  of  the 
18th,  after  having  during  the  day  encountered  and 
put  to  flight  a  large  body  of  Mexicans.  These 
events  indicated  the  fact  that  the  Mexicans  had 
crossed  the  Rio  Grande ;  and  hostilities  may  from 
this  date  be  considered  to  have  commenced.  Be- 
fore proceeding  to  the  stirring  narrative  which 
now  awaits  us,  we  shall  conclude  this  chapter  with 
General  Taylor's  answer  to  the  summons  of  Ampu- 
dia  to  retreat  beyond  the  Nueces  within  twenty-four 
hours.  General  Ampudia's  summons  was  dated  on 
the  12th  April;  and  the  answer  of  General  Taylor, 
from  which  may  be  gathered  the  tenor  of  Ampudia's 
note,  was  immediately  returned  : 

Head-Quarters  Army  of  Occupation,      ") 
Camp  ne^r  Matamoras,  Texas,  J}pril  12,  1846.    5 

Senor  :  I  have  had  the  honour  to  receive  your 
note  of  this  date,  in  which  you  summon  me  to  with- 
draw the  forces  under  my  command  tirom  their  pre 
sent  position,  and  beyond  the  river  Nueces,  until 
the  pending  question  between  our  j;;:overD meats, 
elative  to  the  limits  of  Texas,  shall  b<3  ^tjfjd 
4*  .F 


82  L  I  F  E      O  F 

I  need  hardly  advise  you  that,  charged  as  I  am, 
n  only  a  military  capacity,  with  the  performance 
of  specific  duties,  I  cannot  enter  into  a  discussion 
of  the  international  question  involved  in  the  advance 
of  the  American  army.  You  will,  however,  permit 
nie  to  say  that  the  government  of  the  United  States 
has  constantly  sought  a  settlement,  by  negotiation, 
of  the  question  of  boundary ;  that  an  envoy  was 
despatched  to  Mexico  for  that  purpose,  and  that  up 
to  the  most  recent  dates  said  envoy  had  not  been 
received  by  the  actual  Mexican  government,  if  in- 
deed he  has  not  received  his  passports  and  left  the 
repubUc.  In  the  mean  time,  I  have  been  ordered 
to  occupy  the  country  up  to  the  left  bank  of  the 
Rio  Grande,  until  the  boundary  shall  be  definitively 
settled.  In  carrying  out  these  instructions,  I  have 
carefully  abstained  from  all  acts  of  hostility,  obey- 
ing, in  this  regard,  not  only  the  letter  of  my  instruc- 
tions, but  the  plain  dictates  of  justice  and  humanity. 
The  instructions  under  which  I  am  acting  will 
not  permit  me  to  retrograde  from  the  position  I  now 
occupy.  In  view  of  the  relations  between  our  re- 
spective governments,  and  the  individual  suffering 
which  may  result,  I  regret  the  alternative  which 
you  offer ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  wish  it  understood 
that  I  shall  by  no  means  avoid  such  alternative. 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  33 

.eaving  the  responsibility  with  those  who  rashl^y 
conmience  hostihties.  In  conchision,  you  will  per- 
mit me  to  give  you  the  assurance  that  on  my  part 
the  laws  and  customs  of  war  among  civilized  na* 
'ons  shall  be  carefully  observed. 

T  have  the  honour  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your 
obedient  servant. 

Sr.  Gee,  D.  PBOtfo  de  Ampulia 


84  L  I  F  E      G  P 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Position  of  the  Americans — Capture  of  Thornton's  Command  by  th< 

,    Enemy — General  Taylor  marches  to  Point  Isabel  with   the  main 

body  of  the  Army — Sets  out  on  his  return — Encounters  the  Enemy, 

at  Palo  Alto— Brilliant  Services  of  Major  Ringgold — Mortal  Wound 

of  Captain  Page— Close  of  the  day — General  Taylor's  Despatch. 


FFAIRS  had  now  reached  a  most 
critical  point.  The  armies  of  the 
two  republics  stood  committed ;  on 
the  Mexican  side  by  repeated  threats, 
and  on  the  American  by  the  orders  under 
which  their  commander  acted.  Neither 
side  could  retreat  from  the  posture  in  which 
it  was  placed ;  and  each  appeared  deter- 
mined to  leave  to  the  other  t'je  responsibility  of 
commencing  actual  hostilities.  The  following  ex 
tract  of  a  letter  from  General  Taylor  will  give  the 
eader  an  idea  of  the  position  of  things  on  the  25th 
of  April : 

"  Strong  guards  of  foot  and  mounted  men  are 
established  on  the  margin  of  the  river,  and  thua 
efficient  means  have  been  adopted  on  our  part  to 


GENERAL      TAYLOR  85 

prevent  all  intercourse.  While  opposite  to  us  their 
pickets  extend  above  and  below  for  several  miles, 
we  are  equally  active  in  keeping  up  a  strong  and 
vigilant  guard  to  prevent  surprise,  or  attacks  under 
disadvantageous  circumstances.  This  is  the  more 
necessary,  while  we  are  to  act  on  the  defensive,  and 
they  are  at  liberty  to  take  the  opposite  course 
whenever  they  think  proper  to  do  so.  Nor  have 
we  been  idle  in  other  respects ;  we  have  a  field- 
work  under  way,  besides  having  erected  a  strong 
battery,  and  a  number  of  buildings  for  the  security 
of  our  supplies,  in  addition  to  some  respectable 
works  for  their  protection.  We  have  mounted  a 
respectable  battery,  four  pieces  of  which  are  long 
eighteen-pounders,  with  which  we  could  batter  or 
burn  down  the  city  of  Matamoras,  should  it  become 
necessary  to  do  so.  When  our  field-work  is  coui- 
pleted — which  will  soon  be  the  case — and  mount-d 
with  its  proper  armament,  five  hundred  men  could 
hold  it  against  as  many  thousand  Mexicans.  Dar- 
ing the  twenty-seven  days  since  our  arrival  here,  a 
most  singular  state  of  things  has  prevailed  all  throuiili 
the  outlines  of  the  two  armies,  which,  to  a  certain 
extent,  have  all  the  feelings  as  if  there  were  actual 
v^  ar 

'  Fronting  each  other,  for  an  extent  of  more  than 


86  L  1  F  E      O  F 

two  miles,  and  within  musket  range,  are  batteries 
sliotted,  and  the  officers  and  men,  in  many  instances, 
waiting  impatiently  for  orders  to  apply  the  matches; 
yet  nothing  has  been  done  to  provoke  the  firing  of 
a  gun  or  any  act  of  violence. 

"  Matamoras,  at  the  distance  we  are  now  from  it, 
appears  to  cover  a  large  extent  of  ground,  with 
some  handsome  buildings,  but  I  would  imagine  the 
greater  portion  of  them  to  be  indifferent  one-story 
houses,  with  roofs  of  straw,  and  walls  of  mud  or 
unburnt  brick.  During  peace  the  population  is 
said  to  be  five  or  six  thousand,  but  it  is  now  filled 
to  overflowing  with  troops.  Report  says  from  five 
to  ten  thousand  of  all  sorts,  regular  and  militia. 
The  number,  I  presume,  is  very  much  overrated. 

"  P.  S. — Since  writing  the  above,  an  engagement 
has  taken  place  between  a  detachment  of  our  cav- 
alry and  the  Mexicans,  in  which  we  are  worsted. 
So  the  war  has  actually  commenced,  and  the  hard- 
est must  fend  off." 

General  Arista  had  now  superseded  Ampudia  in 
the  command  of  the  Mexicans;  and  had  declared 
that  he  considered  hostilities  already  commenced, 
and  should  prosecute  them.  It  became  certain 
that  the  Mexicans  had  crossed  the  Rio  Grande  at 
some  point  above  Matamoras;  and  Captains  Thorn 


«fiNERAL      lAVLOR.  87 

ton  am]  Hardie,  with  Lieutenants  Kane  and  Mason, 
and  sixty-one  dragoons  were  sent  to  reconnoitre  the 
enemy's  movements.  This  party  was  surprised  and 
surrounded  ahout  twenty-six  miles  from  the  camp, 
and  Lieutenant  Mason  and  nine  men  were  killed. 
The  whole  party  subsequently  surrendered  them- 
selves prisoners  of  war  ;  and  it  is  to  this  affair  that 
General  Taylor  alludes  in  the  significant  postscript 
to  his  letter. 

The  intentions  of  General  Arista  were  now  appa- 
rent. By  throwing  a  considerable  body  of  troops 
between  the  camp  opposite  Matamoras  and  Point 
Isabel,  he  designed  to  cut  off  all  communication  be- 
tween General  Taylor  and  his  depot,  and  to  over- 
whelm both  positions  by  numbers.  The  supply  of 
provisions  in  General  Taylor's  camp  was  sufficient 
only  for  eight  days,  and  Point  Isabel  was  twenty- 
seven  miles  distant.  Captain  Walker  of  the  Texan 
Rangers  arrived  in  camp  from  Point  Isabel  on  the 
29th,  with  four  men,  bringing  the  intelhgence  that 
on  the  day  previous,  with  a  detachment  of  his  Ran- 
gers, he  had  encountered  a  force  of  between  one 
and  two  thousand  Mexicans,  and  after  a  brush  with 
them  he  had  fallen  back  to  Point  Isabel.  From 
that  place  he  had  vohinteered  to  bring  General 
Taylor  information,  both  of  tiie  posture  of  affairs 


68  L  I  F  E      O  F 

at  the  depot  and  of  the  appearance  of  the  route 
Communication  by  the  ordinary  metiiods  was  now 
cut  off;  and  General  Taylor  resolved  to  set  out  in 
person  with  the  greater  part  of  his  force,  and  pro- 
cure supphes.  Leaving  the  works  on  the  Rio 
Grande  under  command  of  Major  Brown,  with  a 
regiment  of  infantry  and  two  of  artillery,  in  all 
about  six  hundred  men,  General  Taylor  on  the  1st 
of  May  set  out  for  Point  Isabel,  where  he  arrived 
on  the  2d,  without  having  seen  a  Mexican  on  the 
route. 

On  the  3d,  the  noise  of  cannonading  was  heard 
by  General  Taylor,  and  Captains  May  and  Walker 
were  sent  out  by  him  to  gain  information.  On  the 
6th  Captain  Walker  arrived  with  intelligence  from 
the  camp  that  the  cannonading  by  the  Mexicans 
had  so  far  done  no  damage  ;  and  that  Major  Brown 
was  reserving  his  fire  and  was  in  a  position  to  main- 
tain his  post.  Intelligence  was  now  continually 
received  of  the  presence  of  Mexican  troops  in 
heavy  force.  On  the  evening  of  the  7th  General 
Taylor,  with  the  main  body  of  the  little  army  of 
occupation,  moved  from  Point  Isabel  and  bivouacked 
for  the  night  seven  miles  distant. 

On  the  next  day  the  march  was  resumed,  and  at 
noon  the  Mexican  troops  were  discovered,  o^rupy- 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  89 

ing  ihe  road  in  heavy  force,  at  Palo  Alto.  Gene- 
ral Taylor  halted  to  refresh  his  men,  and  form  his 
Une  of  battle.  At  two  o'clock  he  took  up  his  line 
of  march  in  the  direction  of  the  enemy  who  opened 
the  battle  with  theii  artillery,  as  the  Americans 
approached.  A  heavy  force  of  Mexican  artillery 
occupied  the  road,  forming  one  end  of  the  line 
of  battle,  and  infantry  and  artillery  in  alternate 
masses  stretched  across  the  plain  to  the  distance 
of  a  mile  or  more.  We  may  here  remind  the  young 
reader  that  in  military  language  the  word  "  right " 
in  a  march  means  the  head  of  a  column,  and  when 
the  hne  is  formed  for  battle  the  same  relative  terms 
of  right  and  left  apply  to  the  disposition  of  the 
troops.  The  Mexican  "right"  in  the  battle  of 
Palo  Alto  was  composed  of  the  infantry  and  lighter 
artillery  which  stretched  over  the  prairie  ;  the  "  left  " 
was  formed  of  the  heavy  artillery  which  occupied 
the  road ;  and  the  road,  having  prairie  on  one  side, 
had  on  the  other  a  dense  and  impassable  thicket  of 
chapparal. 

In  advancing  against  the  enemy,  Ringgold's  artil- 
lery, and  the  5th  and  3d  infantry,  two  eigliteen- 
pounders,  and  the  artillery  battalion,  which  formed 
the  "right"  of  the  American  army,  advanced  against 
the  Mexican  "  left,"  which,  as  wo  have  already  said, 


90  L  I  F  E      O  F 

was  composed  of  artillery  posted  in  the  road  The 
left  of  the  American  line  was  composed  of  the  4th 
and  8th  infantry,  and  the  light  artillery  of  Captain 
Duncan.  Ringgold's  artillery  opened  a  fire  wliich 
told  with  terrible  execution  upon  the  enemy.  Aa 
attempt  of  the  Mexican  cavalry,  making  a  detour 
around  the  chapparal  to  attack  the  right  flank,  was 
discovered  and  checked  by  Lieutenant  Ridgely 
with  a  detachment  of  Ringgold's  artillery,  the  5th 
infantry,  and  Captain  Walker's  volunteers,  who 
received  and  repulsed  the  charge  with  great  resolu- 
tion, and  inflicted  severe  loss  upon  the  assailants. 
While  this  movement  was  going  on,  Major  Ring- 
gold was  left  with  but  two  of  his  pieces,  which  he 
continued  playing  upon  the  enemy  with  the  accu- 
racy of  a  rifle,  added  to  the  awful  power  of  a  piece 
of  ordnance;  advancing  within  a  hundred  yards  of 
the  enemy,  shifting  and  retrograding  as  the  nature 
of  the  ground  required.  The  infantry,  meanwhile, 
stood  firm,  impatient  for  tiie  order  to  charge,  and 
cheering  the  terrible  success  of  his  battery,  while 
they  could  take  no  part  in  the  action,  otherwise 
than  by  their  enthusiastic  expressions  of  sympathy. 
At  length  the  services  of  the  gallant  Major  were 
cut  short  with  his  life.  A  six-pound  ball  struck 
him,  cutting  the  flesh  from  both  thighs,  and  passing 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  91 

tlirough  the  shoulders  of  his  horse.  As  he  fell, 
Lieutenant  Slierer  offered  to  assist  him,  hut  ne  said: 
"No  sir — let  me  stay — -^o  on — you  have  enough  to 
do."  Major  Ringgold  survived  his  wounds  sixty 
hours ;  and  received  the  utmost  attention  that  the 
nature  of  the  circumstances  would  admit.  The 
command  of  his  company  devolved  on  Lieutenant 
Shover,  who  skilfully  managed  the  batteries  during 
the  rest  of  the  day. 

On  the  left  of  the  American  line,  Captain  Dun- 
can's battery  was  doing  great  execution  among  the 
troops  composing  the  enemy's  right.  With  Captain 
Duncan  on  the  extreme  left,  Ringgold's  artillery  on 
the  right,  and  the  heavy  eighteen-pounders  between 
them,  the  fire  poured  into  the  Mexican  masses  was 
most  destructive.  All  this  time  the  infantry  had 
next  to  nothing  to  do,  but  to  stand  ready  to  sustain 
the  batteries ;  themselves  doing  but  little  in  the  fray. 
To  rest  inactive,  while  ever  and  anon  a  comrade  is 
killed  or  wounded ;  to  stand  without  quailing  and 
be  shot  at,  without  the  excitement  of  answering  the 
fire,  is  the  very  highest  exercise  of  fortitude  and 
heroism.  Nor  did  the  Mexican  infantry  fail  to 
deserve  the  highest  credit  for  the  steadiness  with 
which  they  endured  the  tremendous  cannonading. 
The  battle  on  both  sides  was  almost  entirely  in  the 


92  L  I  F  E     O  F 

hands  of  the  artillery ;  and  in  this  particular  the 
action  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  on  record. 

The  tall  grass  of  the  prairie  had  been  fired  by  the 
artillery,  and  the  smoke  now  concealed  the  two 
armies  from  each  other  and  produced  a  temporary 
cessation  of  the  action.  Several  changes  now  oc- 
curred. The  enemy's  artillery  retreated  from  the 
murderous  fire  of  Ringgold's  battery,  and  the  ground 
was  occupied  by  the  eighteen-pounders.  The  4th 
infantry,  which  was  ordered  to  support  the  eighteen- 
pound  battery,  and  Captain  May's  squadron,  suffered 
severely,  and  Captain  Page,  of  the  infantry,  here 
met  the  wound  which  ended  his  life.  He  was 
struck  down  with  such  force  as  to  prostrate  the 
three  men  who  stood  next  behind  him.  The  whole 
of  his  lower  jaw  was  shot  away;  and  althougft  he 
survived  to  reach  his  native  country,  it  was  only  to 
yield  up  his  last  breath  upon  her  soil. 

In  the  mean  time  the  battalion  of  artillery  under 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Childs  had  been  brought  up  to 
support  the  artillery  on  our  right,  A  strong  demon- 
stration of  cavalry  was  now  made  by  the  enemy 
against  this  part  of  our  line,  and  the  column  con- 
tinued to  advance  under  a  severe  fire  from  the 
eighteen-pounders.  The  battalion  was  instantly 
formed  in  square,  and   held   ready  to  receive  the 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  93 

charge  of  cavalry  ;  but  when  the  advanced  squad- 
rons were  within  close  range,  a  deadly  fire  of  canistei 
from  the  eighteen-pounders  dispersed  them.  A  brisk 
fire  of  small-arms  was  now  opened  upon  the  square, 
by  which  Lieutenant  Luther  of  the  second  artillery 
was  slightly  wounded ;  but  a  well-directed  volley 
from  the  front  of  the  square  silenced  all  further 
firing  from  the  enemy  in  this  quarter.  It  was  now 
nearly  dark,  and  the  action  was  closed  on  the  right 
of  the  American  line  ;  the  enemy  having  been  com- 
pletely driven  back  from  his  position,  and  foiled  in 
every  attempt  against  our  line. 

While  the  above  was  going  forward  on  our 
right,  the  enemy  had  made  a  serious  attempt  against 
the  left  of  our  line.  Captain  Duncan,  with  his 
usual  quickness  of  perception,  discovered  and  com- 
municated to  Lieutenant  Belknap,  commanding 
the  brigade,  the  fact  that  the  enemy  was  moving 
the  entire  cavalry  and  infantry  force  of  his  right 
wing  upon  our  train  in  rear  of  the  left  of  our  line 
of  battle,  and  that  his  battery  could  produce  a  more 
destructive  effect  upon  the  enemy  by  taking  position 
further  to  the  left.  He  was  ordered  to  proceed  to 
the  threatened  point  with  all  possible  despatch,  and 
hold  the  enemy  in  check  until  the  eighth  infantry 
could  come  up  to  his  support.     The  battery  dashed 


94  L  I  F  E      O  c- 

back  to  the  left  flank  in  full  view  of  the  enemy, 
and  engaged  him  within  point-blank  range  of  his 
small  guns.  So  sudden  and  unexpected  was  this 
•movement  to  the  enemy,  who  a  moment  before  saw 
this  battery  disappear  in  the  opposite  direction 
behind  the  smoke  of  the  burning  prairie,  that  his 
whole  column  of  cavalry  pulled  up  to  a  halt  before 
a  shot  had  been  fired  or  the  guns  unlimbered. 

A  strong  body  of  the  enemy's  infantry,  supported 
by  two  squadrons  of  cavalry,  now  debouched  from 
the  extreme  right  point  of  the  chaparral,  and  moved 
steadily  forward  to  the  attack  ;  one  section  of  the 
battery  opened  upon  them  with  round  shot,  shells, 
and  spherical  case,  so  well  directed  that  the  whole 
advance,  horse  and  foot,  fell  back  in  disorder  to  the 
bushes  ;  the  other  section  in  the  mean  time  played 
into  the  masses  of  cavalry  that  had  halted  at  the 
right  of  the  guns  before  mentioned.  Although 
these  shot  were  well  directed,  and  each  made  an 
opening  through  an  entire  squadron,  this  part  of  the 
enemy's  line  stood  unshaken. 

The  column  of  cavalry  and  infantry  driven  back 
in  the  chaparral  by  the  other  section,  reformed 
there,  and  moved  forward  a  second  time  to  the 
attack  with  great  regularity.  After  they  advanced 
about   one  hundred  yards  from  the  chaparral,  the 


GENERAL      TaYLOR.  ifb 

section  l>efore  ordered  to  drive  them  back  again, 
opened,  and  drove  them  with  even  greater  success 
than  before.  They  fell  back  pell-mell  to  the  bashes 
and  commenced  their  retreat ;  their  supporting 
cavalry  abandoned  them,  rushed  back  upon  the 
head  of  the  columns  that  had  before  withstood  our 
shot,  and  a  flight  commenced  ;  squadron  after  squad- 
ron took  it  up,  and  the  entire  right  wing  of  the 
enemy  was  in  full  retreat.  Both  sections  were  now 
brought  to  bear  upon  the  enemy's  broken  and  flying 
columns,  and  a  brisk  and  destructive  fire  kept  up 
till  they  disappeared  in  the  chaparral,  or  darkness 
put  an  end  to  the  battle. 

This  battery,  under  the  skilful  management  of 
Captain  Duncan,  and  with  the  aid  of  the  8th  in- 
fantry, commanded  by  Captain  Montgomery,  and 
Captain  Ker's  squadron  of  dragoons,  was  of  im- 
mense service,  at  this  peculiar  crisis,  on  our  left 
line,  and  to  the  successful  result  of  the  battle.  They 
at  first  gallantly  held  the  enemy  at  bay,  and  finally 
drove  him  from  the  field  with  great  loss.  This 
terminated  the  action,  and  our  army  bivouacked  on 
the  ground  it  occupied,  while  that  of  the  Mexicans 
retired  into  the  chaparral,  in  rear  of  their  position. 

We  cannot  better  close  this  chapter  than  with 
the  brief  and  modest  despatch  of  General  Taylor : 


96  L  I  F  E      O  F 

Head-Quarters  Army  of  Occupation,    7 
Camp  at  Falo  Mo,  Texas,  May  9,  1846.      5 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honour  to  report  that  I  was  met 
near  this  place  yesterday,  on  my  march  from  Point 
Isabel,  by  the  Mexican  forces,  and  after  an  action 
of  about  five  hours,  dislodged  them  from  their  posi- 
tion and  encamped  upon  the  field.  Our  artillery, 
consisting  of  two  eighteen-pounders,  and  two  light 
batteries,  was  the  arm  chiefly  engaged,  and  to  the 
excellent  manner  in  which  it  was  manoeuvred  and 
served,  is  our  success  mainly  due. 

The  strength  of  the  enemy  is  believed  to  have 
been  about  6000  men,  with  seven  pieces  of  ar- 
tillery, and  800  cavalry.  His  loss  is  probably  at 
least  one  hundred  killed.  Our  strength  did  not 
exceed,  all  told,  twenty-three  hundred,  while  our 
loss  was  comparatively  trifling — four  men  killed, 
three  oflicers  and  thirty-seven  men  wounded,  seve- 
ral of  the  latter  mortally.  I  regret  to  say  that 
Major  Ringgold,  2d  artillery,  and  Captain  Page,  4th 
infantry,  are  severely  wounded.  Lieutenant  Luther, 
2d  artillery,  slightly  so. 

The  enemy  has  fallen  back,  and  it  is  believed 
has  repassed  the  river.  I  have  advanced  parties 
now  thrown  forward  in  his  direction,  and  shall 
move  the  miin  body  immediately. 


GENERAI       TAYLOR.  97 

In  the  liaste  of  this  report,  I  can  only  say  that 
the  officers  and  men  behaved  in  the  most  admirable 
manner  throughout  the  action.  I  shall  have  the 
pleasure  of  making  a  more  detailed  report  when 
those  of  the  different  commanders  shall  be  received 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

Z.  TAYLOR, 

Hrevff  Srigadicr-General  U.  S.  A,,  Comnnrxt^nf 


98  L  I  F  E     O  P 


CHAPTER   IX. 

Battle  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma — Discovery  of  the  Enemy's  PositiOD— • 
Lieutenant  Ridgely's  Battery — Charge  of  Captain  May — Capture 
of  General  La  Vega — Charge  of  the  Eighth  Infantry — Desperate 
Courage  of  the  Mexicans — Movements  of  various  Regiments — Camp 
of  the  Enemy— Total  Defeat  of  the  Mexicans — Meeting  with  the 
American  Troops  in  the  Fort — General  Taylor's  Despatch. 


N  the  night  of  the  eighth  the  Ameri- 
can army,  after  their  hard  day's 
work,  bivouacked  upon  the  field 
which  had  been  so  fiercely  contest- 
The  Mexicans  had  shown  a  steadiness 
in  battle,  and  a  skill  in  managing  artillery, 
much  greater  than  aad  been  anticipated;  and 
the  advantage  which  had  been  won  nad  been 
at  a  sad  loss  to  the  Americans  in  Ringgold  and  Page, 
and  the  number  of  gallant  men  killed  and  wounded, 
although  the  enemy  suffered  much  more.  The 
night  must  have  been  one  of  great  anxiety  to  the 
men,  and  particularly  to  the  officers.  The  presence 
of  the  Mexicans  in  such  force  as  they  showed  ex- 
cited great  fears  for  the  safety  of  the  little  garrison 
opposite  Matamoras ;  and  the  knowledge  that  the 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  99 

euemy  could  easily  be  reinforced  from  Matamoras, 
while  the  Americans  were  cut  off  from  all  commu- 
nication with  their  friends  and  all  hope  of  succour, 
made  their  case  one  in  which  their  only  hope  was 
in  desperate  valour.  A  council  of  war  was  held, 
Hnd  different  opinions  were  expressed.  Some 
advocated  falling  back  to  Point  Isabel,  and  others 
intrenching  where  they  were,  while  a  third  party, 
including  General  Taylor,  were  in  favour  of  ad- 
vancing. He,  remembering  the  forlorn  condition 
of  the  camp,  resolved  to  push  forward  at  all  hazards. 
As  he  had  determined  before  leaving  Point  Isabel, 
if  he  met  the  enemy,  in  whatever  force,  he  would 
fight  him  ;  he  now  trusted  to  finish  at  any  cost  the 
maich  which  he  had  commenced.  He  decided, 
however,  upon  throwing  up  a  temporary  breast- 
work, and  leaving  the  train  of  baggage  and  stores, 
mounting  some  of  the  twelve-pounders  for  its  de- 
fence, until  the  road  should  be  clear  to  tbe  camp. 

On  the  morning  of  the  9th,  the  enemy  were  per- 
ceived  to  be  in  motion,  and  the  impression  was  that 
they  were  preparing  to  barricade  and  occupy  the 
road  in  force,  to  dispute  the  further  progress  of  the 
Americans.  Before  the  army  was  in  motion  this 
morning,  a  melancholy  event  occurred.  Lieutenant 
J.  E.  Blake,  of  the  topographical  corps,  who  lad 


100  LIFE      OF 

distinguished  himself  by  deeds  of  cool  and  remark- 
able intrepidity  the  day  before,  lost  the  life  which 
battle  had  spared,  by  a  singular  accident.  As  he 
threw  down  his  holsters,  one  of  his  pistols  exploded, 
causing  a  wound  of  which,  in  a  few  hours,  he  died, 
expressing  his  regret  that  he  had  not  lost  his  life  on 
the  battle-field. 

The  army  was  now  in  order  of  battle,  and  com- 
menced its  march  forward,  weakened  not  only  by 
its  losses,  but  by  the  escort  under  which  the 
wounded  had  been  sent  back  to  Point  Isabel,  and 
by  the  men  necessary  to  defend  the  baggage.  The 
Americans  had  now  an  opportunity  to  notice  the 
terrible  consequences  of  their  previous  day's  work. 
The  enemy's  dead  in  some  places  laid  in  ghostly 
heaps  ;  and  those  who  were  the  day  before  cheering 
and  shouting  in  the  wild  enthusiasm  of  the  deadly 
strife,  now  shuddered,  and  turned  sick  at  heart  while 
surveying  its  effects.  Nor  were  the  dead  alone 
there  to  remind  the  soldier  of  the  terrible  execution 
of  his  vocation, — the  wounded  appealed  for  aid  and 
assistance ;  and  the  American  officers  ordered  out 
parties  to  seek  for  the  wounded  and  attend  to  their 
wants ;  while  the  soldiers,  unprompted,  during  the 
DVDrning  paid  such  kind  offices  to  the  sufferers  as 
theii   means  admitted      A  faithful  dog  was  found 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  101 

watching  the  dead  body  of  his  master;  and  no 
temptation  could  withdraw  his  attention  from  the 
sacred  trust.  All  who  saw  this  incident  were  deeply 
\ouched.  What  a  mystery  is  man  !  The  same 
soldiers  whose  feelings  were  thus  enlisted  in  these 
incidents  were,  in  a  few  hours  more,  to  be  engaged 
in  a  more  deadly  strife  than  that  of  the  precedino: 
day.  But  the  instinct  of  self-preservation,  had  there 
been  no  other  motive  to  action,  would  have  left 
them  no  choice. 

The  enemy  were  met  at  last,  within  three  miles 
of  the  fortified  American  camp,  posted  in  and  near 
a  ravine  called  Resaca  de  la  Palma.  The  position 
was  a  well-chosen  one,  and  conferred  such  advan- 
tage upon  the  enemy  that  nothing  but  the  desperate 
valour  of  the  American  troops,  and,  in  particular, 
the  bold  conduct  of  the  dragoons,  could  have  saved 
the  Americans  from  a  ruinous  defeat,  within  hearing 
of  tlieir  comrades  in  the  camp.  The  advance, 
under  Captain  G.  A.  McCall,  drew  the  first  fire. 
Lieutenant  Randolph  Ridgely  was  ordered  to  th. 
front  with  the  light  artillery  battery,  once  command- 
ed by  Major  Ringgold,  and  Captain  Walker  with 
the  Texan  Rangers  was  sent  to  point  out  the  posi- 
tion of  the  enemy.  Lieutenant  Ridgely  moved  ou 
in  the  very  teeth  o^  the  Mexican  battery,  and  fof 


102  LIFE     OF 

some  time  shots  were  briskly  exchanged  when  the 
contending  parties  were  only  about  one  hundred 
yards  apart.  Whenever  tlie  fire  of  the  enemy 
slackened,  Lieutenant  Ridgely  advanced.  But  the 
batteries  of  the  enemy  were  doing  murderous  exe- 
cution ;  and  while  they  kept  their  position  in  the 
road,  the  day  remained  in  their  hands.  Beside 
answering  the  battery  in  his  front.  Lieutenant 
Ridgely  had  sufficient  to  do  to  repel  the  infantry 
and  cavalry  charges  which  were  made  upon  him. 

While  this  gallant  work  was  going  on  in  the 
centre,  there  was  heavy  fighting  on  the  left  and  on 
the  right  of  the  road.  From  the  beginning  the 
American  troops  steadily  advanced,  and  were  gain- 
ing everywhere  except  in  the  centre;  but  there, 
notwithstanding  the  almost  superhuman  efforts  of 
Lieutenant  Ridgely  and  the  infantry  who  supported 
nim,  the  Mexican  fire  was  kept  up  with  a  tenacity 
which  prevented  any  sensible  impression  upon  the 
enemy's  position.  Their  artillery  was  served  with 
a  coolness  and  precision  which  did  the  highest 
honour  to  the  Mexican  troops.  As  it  was  perceived 
that  the  weight  of  the  battle  was  here  in  the  centre, 
and  that  until  the  enemy  were  there  dislodged,  all 
other  efforts,  however  brave  and  brilliant,  were  but 
a  useless  expenditure  of   the  lives  of  brave  meD, 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  103 

Colonel  May,  with  his  dragoons,  was  ordered  to 
charge  this  battery.  It  is  said  that  General  Taylor 
delivered  the  order  in  something  like  the  following 
words :  "  Sir,  your  command  has  done  nothing 
yet — you  must  take  that  battery."  "Men,"  said 
Captain  May,  "we  must  take  that  battery.  Fol- 
low!" On  went  the  squadron,  their  leader  several 
yards  in  advance,  sweeping  down  the  ravine.  As 
they  passed  Lieutenant  Ridgely,  a  word  was  ex- 
changed, and  he  fired  a  volley  to  draw  the  attention 
of  the  enemy.  The  squadron  dashed  onward, 
receiving  a  discharge  from  the  enemy's  batteries 
which  killed  or  disabled  full  one-third  of  the 
squadron. 

A  wild  hurrah  went  up  as  the  gallant  horsemen 
cleared  the  breastwork,  and  charged  entirely  through 
the  enemy's  battery  of  seven  pieces.  When  Cap- 
tain May  gained  the  rising  ground  in  the  rear,  he 
could  rally  but  six  of  his  men  ;  but  with  these  he 
charged  the  Mexican  gunners,  who,  swept  for  a 
moment  by  his  furious  riding  over  breastwork,  guns, 
and  men,  had  now  regained  their  pieces.  The 
Mexicans  were  again  driven  off,  and  General  La 
Vega,  who  was  found  gallantly  fighting  in  persoa 
at  his  battery,  surrendered  himself  a  prisoner  to 
Captain  May.     The  dragoons  returned  through  the 


104  LIFE     U  F 

Mexican  lines.  Lieutenant  Ridgely  had  now  {juslied 
up  to  the  edge  of  the  ravine  with  his  battery  ;  but 
though  he  found  no  cannoneers  to  encounter,  the 
enemy's  infantry  poured  in  upon  him  a  galUng  fire  ; 
and  the  cavahy  made  a  dash  upon  him,  coming  so 
neai  that  the  Lieutenant  struck  at  the  foremost 
with  his  sabre.  A  discharge  of  canister  and  shell 
from  one  of  the  pieces  thrown  among  them  scat- 
tered the  troop. 

Now  was  the  fiercest  struggle — the  turning  poiat 
on  which  hung  the  fortunes  of  the  day.  The 
enemy  had  been  driven  from  their  battery,  but  with 
the  courage  and  confidence  of  veterans  were  rally- 
ing. The  eighth  infantry.  Captain  Montgomery, 
now  came  ap,  and  for  a  short  time  was  hotly  en- 
gaged, but  succeeded  in  siecuring  the  battery.  The 
regiment  charged  upon  the  ravine,  in  the  face  of  a 
sheet  of  fire  from  the  enemy,  and  dislodged  the 
colunm  of  infantry  posted  to  support  the  enemy's 
battery.  The  Mexicans  fiercely  maintained  their 
ground,  and  were  driven  only  after  the  most  terrible 
slaughter.  At  last  they  gave  way.  The  battle 
became  a  perfect  rout.  Duncan's  artillery  came 
into  the  front  and  under  his  deadly  fire  the  enemy 
fell  back  faster  and  faster.  The  side  batteries  now 
silenced,  the  American  troops  pushed  by  the  eager 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  105 

ness  of  pursuit  in  the  narrow  defile  which  was  until 
May's  charge  impassable,  rushed  forward  with  loud 
and  exulting  shouts  of  victory ;  and  the  enemy 
consulted  no  more  any  order,  except  safety  in  flight. 
It  is  impossible  in  our  brief  space  to  detail  all 
the  movements  of  the  several  regiments ;  but  a 
general  notice  may  be  attempted.  During  the 
charge  upon  the  centre  battery,  the  8th  infantry 
was  joined  by  a  part  of  the  5th  under  the  gallant 
Captain  Martin  Scott,  who  had  just  been  engaged 
in  a  hot  personal  contest  with  the  enemy,  from 
which  he  was  timely  relieved  by  a  part  of  the  8th 
infantry  under  Lieutenant  Wood ;  Lieutenants 
Ruffgles  and  Crittenden  with  a  small  command  of 
the  5th,  with  the  8th  infantry,  all  under  Captain 
Montgomery,  routed  the  enemy's  right  wing,  carry- 
ing his  right  battery,  between  which  and  his  centre 
batteries  had  been  posted  the  celebrated  Tampico 
Regiment,  all  of  which,  except  some  seventeen  men, 
fell  in  their  position,  making  the  most  gallant  and 
determined  resistance.  A  part  of  the  5th  infantry 
— Captains  Wood's  and  Merrill's  companies — under 
Colonel  Mcintosh,  charged  across  the  enemy's  posi- 
tion, carrying  one  of  his  centre  batteries,  and  with 
the  3d  and  4th  infantry  put  to  rout  his  left  wing,  in 
which  eallant  charjie  Colonel  Mcintosh  fell  daniier- 


106  LIFE     OF 

ously  wounded.  Captain  Marcy  of  the  6tli  infantry 
with  a  small  command  of  that  regiment,  had  turned 
the  enemy's  left  flank,  and  taken  a  piece  which, 
leaving  in  the  rear,  was  removed  by  the  enemy, 
but  retaken  by  Captain  Buchanan  of  the  4th  in- 
fantry. 

The  light  companies  of  the  1st  brigade,  and  the 
3d  and  4th  regiments  of  infantry,  had  been  deployed 
on  the  right  of  the  road,  when  at  various  points 
they  became  briskly  engaged  with  the  enemy.  The 
4th  infantry,  under  command  of  Brevet-Major  Al- 
len, advancing,  discovered  that  the  enemy  were 
pouring  a  heavy  fire  of  grape  and  musketry  from  a 
small  breastwork  just  in  front,  defended  by  one  piece 
of  artillery  and  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  infantry. 
Captain  Buchanan  was  ordered  to  cross  to  the  right 
and  advance.  He  had  in  his  command  some  thirty 
men  of  the  regiment,  together  with  Lieutenants 
Hays  and  Woods.  He  deployed  his  men  upon  the 
crest  of  the  hill,  charged,  took  the  piece,  and  bore 
it  back  to  a  place  of  safety.  The  enemy  had  a 
breastwork  in  Captain  Buchanan's  rear,  and  opened 
a  heavy  fire  on  him ;  when,  with  about  ten  men,  he 
dislodged  him  and  drove  him  across  the  road. 
Lieutenants  Hays  and  Woods  first  reached  the 
piece  of  ordnance  and  captured  it,  and  were  at- 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  107 

tacked  in  the  act  of  bearing  it  away  by  a  party  of 
the  enemy  determined  to  regain  it,  which  they 
repulsed. 

The  3d  infantry,  commanded  by  Captain  Morris, 
was  also  deployed  in  the  commencement  of  the 
engagement  as  skirmishers  on  the  right  of  the  road, 
the  left  resting  on  the  road.  The  regiment  ad- 
vanced rapidly  to  the  front,  where  it  became 
exposed  to  a  cross  fire  of  both  armies,  but  upon 
changing  position  joined  in  the  action  with  service 
to  the  successful  result.  Captain  Barbour,  with  his 
command,  also  repulsed  a  party  attempting  to  retake 
the  piece  spoken  of 

The  4th  regiment,  after  taking  the  battery, 
pushed  forward  until  it  emerged  from  the  thicket 
into  the  main  camp  of  the  enemy,  containing  the 
head-quarters  of  the  commanding  general  of  the 
Mexican  army,  their  ammunition,  some  three  or 
four  hundred  mules,  saddles,  and  every  variety  of 
camp  equipage,  with  the  commander's  official  cor- 
respondence, which  they  captured.  Lieutenant 
Cochrane  fell  at  the  edge  of  the  camp,  whilst  gal- 
lantly leading  his  men  into  it. 

The  camp  of  the  enemy  was  about  two  hundred 
yards  in  the  rear  of  the  battery  which  had  made  so 
determined    a    resistance.      The    camp-fires   we'e 


108  LIFE      OF 

lighted,  and  meat  roasting ;  everything  indeed  indi- 
cated that  the  Mexicans  thought  of  anything  else 
than  being  disturbed  in  their  encampment  that  night 
On  went  the  Americans  hke  the  rush  of  a  mighty 
river.  The  enemy  now  and  then  made  a  stand,  but 
it  w^as  only  for  an  instant.  The  American  artil- 
lery fvhich  had  been  posted  to  defend  the  baggage, 
was  now  brought  forward,  and  the  retreating  army 
were  driven  to  the  river,  where  many  were  drowned 
in  their  efforts  to  cross  to  Matamoras.  As  the  vic- 
torious troops  passed  the  lines  of  the  camp  opposite 
Matamoras,  three  shots  from  eighteen-pounders 
went  over  them,  nearly  killing  some  of  the  men  in 
the  very  flush  of  conquest.  The  horrible  idea  for 
an  instant  appalled  them,  that  their  friends  had  mis- 
taken them  for  enemies,  and  were  opening  a  fire  upon 
them.  But  the  discharge  was  not  repeated,  and  it 
was  afterward  ascertained  that  the  shot  came  from 
Matamoras.  On  again  went  pursuers  and  pursued ; 
the  former  cheered  with  the  furious  excitement  of  a 
victory  unanticipated  in  its  overwhelming  complete- 
ness ;  the  latter  goaded  with  the  desperate  panic 
of  a  defeat  as  perfect  and  disastrous  as  it  was  un- 
expected. 

Thus  ended  the  brilliant  affair  of  Resaca  de  la 
Palma  —  an  engagement  which,  for  the  bravery 
manifested  on  both  sides,  up  to  the  instant  of  the 


GENERAL      TAfLOR.  ]09 

defeat  of  one,  has  not  its  parallel  in  the  annals  of 
modern  warfare.  In  speaking  of  the  meeting  of  the 
little  garrison  in  the  fortified  camp,  and  their  trium- 
phant friends,  a  writer  from  the  army  says:  "You 
can  imagine  how  ive  ive?-e  received  /"  Words  cannot 
describe  the  joy  of  such  a  meeting;  but  it  was 
damped  with  sorrow  for  the  gallant  spirits  who,  in 
the  week  of  separation,  had  lost  their  lives  in  their 
country's  service. 

We  subjoin  the  despatch  of  General  Taylor,  as 
furnishing  a  brief  review  of  the  engagement,  and  a 
summary  of  its  losses  and  its  advantages. 


Head-Quarters  Army  of  Occupation, 
Camp  at  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  3  rjiil 
Malamoras,  10  o'clock,  F.  M.,  May 


CUPATION,     ~^ 

lies  from       \. 
y  9,  1846.    3 


Sir:  I  have  the  honour  to  report  that  I  marched 
with  the  main  body  of  the  army  at  two  o'clock  to- 
day, having  previously  thrown  forward  a  body  of 
light  infantry  into  the  forest  which  covers  the  Mata- 
moras  road.  When  near  the  spot  where  I  am  nciv 
encamped,  my  advance  discovered  that  a  ravine 
crossing  the  road  had  been  occupied  by  the  enemy 
with  artillery.  I  immediately  ordered  a  battery  of 
field  artillery  to  sweep  the  position,  flanking  and 
sustaining  it  by  the  3d,  4th,  and  5th  regiments, 
deployed  as  skirmishers  to  the  right  and  left.  A 
heavy  fire  of  artillery  and  of  musketry  was  kept 


110  L  I  f  E     O  F 

up  for  some  time,  until  finally  the  enemy's  batteries 
were  carried  in  succession  by  a  squadron  of  dra- 
goons and  the  regiments  of  infantry  that  were  on 
the  ground.  He  was  soon  driven  from  his  position, 
and  pursued  by  a  squadron  of  dragoons,  battalion 
of  artillery,  3d  infantry,  and  a  light  battery,  to  the 
river.  Our  victory  has  been  complete.  Eight  pieces 
of  artillery,  with  a  great  quantity  of  ammunition, 
three  standards,  and  some  one  hundred  prisoners 
have  been  taken ;  among  the  latter,  General  La 
Vega,  and  several  other  officers.  One  general  is 
understood  to  have  been  killed.  The  enemy  has 
recrossed  the  river,  and  I  am  sure  will  not  agaia 
molest  us  on  this  bank. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy  in  kil.ed  has  been  most 
severe.  Our  own  has  been  very  heavy,  and  I  deeply 
regret  to  report  that  Lieutenant  Inge,  2d  dragoons, 
Lieutenant  Cochrane,  4th  infantry,  and  Lieutenant 
Chadbourne,  8th  infantry,  were  killed  on  the  field. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Payne,  4th  artillery,  Lieutenan* 
Colonel  Mcintosh,  Lieutenant  Dobbins,  3d  infantry ; 
Captain  Hooe  and  Lieutenant  Fowler,  5th  infantry; 
and  Captain  Montgomery,  Lieutenants  Gates,  Sel- 
den,  McClay,  Burbank,  and  Jordan,  8th  infantry, 
were  wounded.  The  extent  of  our  loss  in  killed 
and  wounded  is  not  yet  ascertained,  and  is  reserved 
for  a  more  detailed  reoort. 


GENERAL      TA'ILOR.  Ml 

The  affair  of  to-day  may  be  regarded  as  a  pioper 
supplement  to  the  cannonade  of  yesterday  ;  and 
the  two,  taken  together,  exhibit  the  coohiess  and 
gallantry  of  our  officers  and  nien  in  the  most 
favourable  light.  All  have  done  their  duty,  and 
done  it  nobly.  It  will  be  my  pride,  in  a  more  cir- 
cumstmti'il  report  of  both  actions,  to  dwell  upon 
particular  instances  of  individual  distinction. 

It  affords  me  peculiar  pleasure  to  report  that  the 
field-work  opposite  Matamoras  has  sustained  itself 
handsomely  during  a  cannonade  and  bombardment 
of  160  hours.  But  the  pleasure  is  alloyed  with 
profound  regret  at  the  loss  of  its  heroic  and  indo- 
mitable commander.  Major  Brown,  who  died  to-day 
from  the  effect  of  a  shell.  His  loss  would  be  a 
severe  one  to  the  service  at  any  time,  but  to  the 
army  under  my  orders,  it  is  indeed  irreparable.  One 
officer  and  one  non-commissioned  officer  killed, 
and  ten  men  wounded,  comprise  all  the  casualties 
incident  to  this  severe  bombardment. 

1  inadvertently  omitted  to  mention  the  capture 
of  a  large  number  of  pack-mules  left  in  the  Mexican 
camp.  I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Yoi\r  obedient  servant, 

Z.  TAYLOR, 

Brevtt  Brigadier- General  U.  S.  A.y  Commanding 


n 


LIF  EOF 


CHAPTER  X. 

Boiribardment  of  Fort  Brown. — Generh)  Taylor's  orders.—DeatV  of 
Sergeant  Weigart. — Mexican  guns  dismounted. — Reserve  of  fire.— 
Precautions  against  shells  and  Bombs. — Death  of  Major  Brown. — 
Message  from  Arista. — Answer  of  Captain  Hawkins. — Continued 
Bombardment. — The  guns  of  Palo  Alto  heard  in  the  Fort. — Resaca 

.  de  la  Palma.  —  Joyful  view  of  the  fugitive  Mexicans.  —  Pleasing 
Incidents  relating  to  General  La  Vega. 


OUT  BROWN,  as  the  post  opposite 
Matamoras  was  now  called,  in  honour 
of  the  commander  who  fell  in  its 
defence,  had  been  an  uneas}'  place 
of  shelter  since  General  Taylor  left,  and 
more  than  one  officer  who  had  been  in 
the  active  service  of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca 
de  la  Palma,  declared  that  he  would  rather 
Iiave  fought  fifty  battles  than  have  been  shut  up  in 
that  fort  during  its  bombardment.  The  orders  of 
General  Taylor  were  to  maintain  the  post  at  any 
hazard,  but  not  to  risk  anything  by  a  sally  ;  and  in 
case  the  position  should  be  surrounded  to  fire  signal 
guns  which  would  notify  the  General  of  the  fact. 
The  reader  remembers  that  through  the  gallantry 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  113 

of  Captain  Walker,  intelligence  that  all  was  safe 
at  Fort  Brown  was  received  by  General  Taylor  on 
the  6th. 

The  garrison  left  in  the  fort  was  composed  of 
the  seventh  infantry,  Captain  Hawkins,  and  two 
artillery  companies,  Lieutenant  Bragg.  On  the  3d 
of  May,  the  Mexicans  having  learned  that  General 
Taylor  had  marched  for  Point  Isabel,  with  the 
principal  part  of  his  force,  opened  a  cannonade  and 
bombardment.  Commencing  at  daylight,  the  fire 
was  kept  up  until  noon.  In  the  first  fire  from  the 
Mexicans,  Sergeant  Weigart  of  Captain  Lee's  com- 
pany was  killed.  He  was  carried  into  the  hospital 
and  laid  upon  a  bed.  Hardly  had  he  been  placed 
there  when  a  shell  coming  through  the  canvass  of 
the  tent,  burst  near  the  place  where  the  body  had 
been  deposited,  and  in  its  explosion  detached  the 
head  of  the  corpse  from  the  body,  without  injuring 
any  of  the  living  occupants  of  the  tent.  While 
very  httle  damage  was  done  to  the  garrison,  the 
whole  week  was  one  of  continual  harassing  excite- 
2nent  and  hard  labour.  An  officer  in  the  Fort,  from 
whose  narrative  written  to  a  friend  we  collect  many 
incidents,  states  that  while  in  his  tent  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  commencement  of  the  attack,  a  ball 
struck   his    bed,  ranged  its   whole    length,  passed 

H 


114  LIFE     OF 

through  two  other  tents,  and  buried  itself  in  the 
parapet.  It  was  fortunate  for  this  gentleman  mat 
lie  had  been  that  day  at  least-  an  early  riser. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  American  fire  two  of  the 
Mexican  guns,  twelve-pounders,  were  dismounted, 
and  several  of  the  men  who  were  serving  them  were 
killed.  The  fort  in  which  they  were  posted  was 
soon  after  abandoned,  but  a  constant  fire  was  kept 
up  from  other  points.  The  cannonade  and  bom- 
bardment, with  a  short  cessation  at  noon,  continued 
briskly  until  dark,  and  was  even  occasionally  heard 
until  midnight.  But  although  twelve  or  fifteen 
hundred  shot  were  thrown,  very  little  effect  was 
produced,  and  no  life  was  lost,  except  that  of  the 
sergeant  already  mentioned. 

To  return  the  fire  of  the  Mexicans  would  have 
been  a  dangerous  waste  of  ammunition ;  for  the 
garrison  well  understood  that  the  Mexicans  desired 
nothing  more  than  to  provoke  the  Americans  to  an 
expenditure  of  their  munitions  of  war.  The  fort 
was  in  hourly  expectation,  day  and  night,  of  being 
attacked  by  storm,  and  the  fire  was  therefore 
reserved  for  that  last  extremity.  Meanwhile  all 
possible  precautions  were  taken  to  shelter  the  sol- 
diers against  bombs  and  shells.  It  was  said  by  one 
of   the   letter- writers  that  when   General  Taylor 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  ]15 

entered  Fort  Brown,  he  found  that  its  garrison  had 
been  Uterally  buried  in  the  earth.  Bomb-proof 
shekers  were  constructed,  by  laying  barrels  of  pork 
together,  placing  wood  across,  and  heaping  sand 
over  the  whole.  Holes  were  dug  also  in  the 
ground,  into  which  the  men  could  plunge  upon 
Qccasion.  When  a  shell  was  coming,  the  men 
would  throw  themselves  upon  the  ground  ;  and  at 
a  sign  of  smoke  fall  from  the  parapet,  and  dive  into 
the  shelters  provided.  The  Mexicans  had  httle 
suspicion  that  all  their  waste  of  ammunition  pro- 
duced such  indifferent  results;  but,  as  has  been 
since  ascertained,  supposed  they  had  killed  all,  or 
nearly  all  the  garrison. 

On  the  morning  of  the  6th  of  May,  as  Major 
Brown  was  standing  near  Captain  Mansfield,  direct- 
ing the  operation  of  the  corps  of  engineers,  his  leg 
was  wounded  by  the  explosion  of  a  shell.  Ampu- 
tation was  necessary ;  but  in  the  burrow  in  which 
the  wounded  officer  was  placed,  to  defend  his  body 
from  further  injury  from  the  explosives  which  were 
constantly  bursting  in  the  fort,  little  hope  could  be 
entertained  of  bis  recovery.  He  died  on  Saturday 
the  seventh  day  of  the  bombardment,  before  the  cry 
of  victory  reached  the  fort.  Major  Brown  was  9 
veteran   having  entered  the  army  as  a  common  sol- 


116  LIFE      OF 

dier,  in  the  year  1812,  at  the  age  of  twenty-five 
fie  was  in  nearly  al  the  battles  on  the  Niagara  in 
1813  and  1814,  and  before  the  close  of  that  war 
was  raised  to  a  lieutenancy.  He  served  through 
the  whole  of  the  Florida  war,  and  reached  the  rank 
of  Major  by  regular  gradations.  As  an  officer  his 
merit  is  briefly  but  strongly  expressed  in  General 
Taylor's  despatch.  He  was  indeed  a  most  efficient 
officer,  uniting  to  indomitable  courage  the  great 
advantages  of  exact  military  knowledge,  the  result 
of  long  experience. 

After  the  wound  of  Major  Brown,  the  command 
of  the  fort  devolved  upon  Captain  Hawkins,  of  the 
7th  infantry.  Large  parties  of  mounted  Mexican 
infantry  were  now  seen  in  the  rear  of  the  fort,  and 
the  impression  was  that,  having  cannonaded  the 
fort  so  long,  the  enemy  were  now  about  to  attempt 
it  by  assault.  These  parties  were  scattered  with 
canister,  but  a  shower  of  shells  followed  for  an  hour 
or  two.  A  parley  was  then  sounded  by  the  assail- 
ants, and  a  white  flag  displayed.  Two  Mexican 
officers  advanced,  and  were  received  by  two  Ame- 
ricans, who  bore  to  Captain  Hawkins  a  communi- 
cation from  General  Arista.  The  Mexican  com- 
mander assured  the  Americans  that  General  Tayloi 
could  not  reach  them  to  give  them  succour;  and  that 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  117 

in  one  hours  time,  if  they  did  not  surrender,  they 
would  be  put  to  the  sword.  He  begged  them, 
therefore,  for  humanity's  sake,  to  surrender.  After 
*  brief  consultation,  at  whi^h  the  officers  were  una- 
nimous in  their  determination  to  defend  the  place 
to  tl]^e  death,  the  following  answer  was  returned  to 
the  summons  of  Arista : 

Head-Quarters,  United  States  Forces,  ") 
Near  Matamoras,  May  6,  1846,  3  o'clock,  P.  M.      j 

Sir: — Your  humane  communication  has  just 
been  received,  and  after  the  consideration  due  to 
its  importance,  I  must  respectfully  decline  to  sur- 
render my  forces  to  you. 

The  exact  purport  of  your  despatch  I  cannot  feel 
confident  that  I  understand,  as  my  interpreter  is  not 
skilled  in  your  language  ;  but  if  I  have  understood 
you  correctly,  you  have  my  reply  above. 
I  am,  sir,  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 
E.  S.  HAWKINS, 

Commanding  U.  S.  forces  opposite  Matamoras. 
General  M.  Arista, 
Commanding  Division  of  the  North. 

When  this  reply  was  received,  the  Mexicans 
opened  their  batteries  with  a  shower  of  shot  and 
shell  which  lasted  un<^il  sunset ;   and  in  the  mids( 


118  L  I  F  E      O  F 

of  the  fire  the  garrison  displayed  their  regimental 
colours  upon  different  parts  of  the  walls,  in  token 
of  their  absolute  determination  to  maintain  the  de- 
fence to  the  last.  The  night  passed  quietly,  but  in 
a  state  of  vigilance,  and  at  daylight  the  next  morn- 
ing the  bombardment  was  resumed.  It  was .  kept 
up  during  the  whole  of  the  7th,  with  little  intermis- 
sion, until  sunset.  After  dark,  Captain  Mansfield, 
of  the  engineer  corps,  went  out  with  one  hundred 
men  and  levelled  a  traverse  which  had  been  thrown 
up  by  General  Worth,  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  lest 
the  enemy  should  make  use  of  it  to  fire  into  the 
fort.  This  duty  was  accomplished  in  safety  before 
midnight. 

At  that  hour  a  random  fire  of  musketry  com- 
menced in  all  directions  upon  the  fort,  but  was  not 
returned ;  and  at  daylight  the  enemy's  batteries 
again  opened.  During  the  day  this  work  was  kept 
up  with  great  activity,  and  for  a  portion  of  the  time 
fire  was  directed  upon  the  fort  from  the  north, 
south,  and  west  at  the  same  instant.  In  a  pause 
of  the  Mexican  batteries,  the  Americans  heard  the 
guns  of  Palo  Alto.  Now  they  knew  that  Genera] 
Taylor  was  approaching  —  they  could  distinctly 
hear  the  volleys  of  musketry.  Hitherto  they  had 
done  little  more  in  the  fort  than  to  fire  often  enough 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  119 

to  indicate  that  tiiey  were  still  alive ;  now  for  an 
hour  or  two  they  engaged  in  a  brisk  cannonade  with 
their  assailants. 

Night  closed  in,  and  the  firing  ceased.  The  gar- 
rison were  permitted  to  pass  the  first  night  of  any- 
thing like  sleep  for  a  week.  They  could  not  tell, 
it  is  true,  what  had  been  the  result  of  the  day's 
work;  but  the  facts  that  they  were  unmolested,  that 
there  were  no  ringings  of  bells  or  other  demonstra- 
tions of  triumph  in  Matamoras,  and  that  the  noise 
of  the  firing  at  Palo  Alto  had  advanced  as  it  closed, 
and  become  more  distinct,  all  augured  well ;  though 
from  the  known  disparity  of  the  forces  engaged,  the 
garrison  could  not  but  have  its  misgivings. 

At  daylight  on  the  ninth,  the  enemy's  batteries 
opened  again  on  the  fort.  This  day  Major  Brown 
died.  Soon  after  his  death  the  thoughts  of  the 
garrison  were  diverted  from  that  event  by  hearing 
the  guns  at  Resaca  de  la  Palma.  The  discharges 
drew  nearer  and  nearer,  until  between  four  and  five 
the  garrison  saw  the  flying  Mexican  cavalry  making 
for  the  ferry  to  cross  to  Matamoras.  One  ot  the 
officers  of  the  garrison  sprang  upon  the  wall  at  the 
toot  of  the  staff  on  which  the  regimental  flag  was 
hoisted,  and,  beckoning  for  silence,  directed  three 
cheers  for  the  stars   and   stripes ;  ^nd   three  such 


120  L  I  F  E      O  F 

cheers  were  given  as  men  in  their  position  of  deh- 
verance  and  triumph  only  coald  send  up.  Every 
gun  from  the  enemy  now  ceased  its  fire,  and  in  a 
little  time  the  retreat  was  beaten,  and  the  siege  was 
raised.  After  all  the  expenditure  of  ammunition 
which  seven  days'  bombarding  and  cannonade 
involved,  it  is  wonderful  that  only  twelve  or  thir- 
teen men  were  wounded,  and  two  killed. 

Now  was  the  time  to  compare  notes  and  relate 
adventures.  Notwithstanding  the  fatigue  and  ex- 
haustion of  all  parties,  we  can  readily  imagine  that 
officers  and  men  were  busily  engaged  in  mutual 
descriptions.  It  is  certain  that  though  the  soldiers 
on  the  field  had  the  most  excitement,  the  others 
had  the  opportunity  for  the  exercise  of  quite  as 
much  courage,  and  more  endurance.  Through  the 
whole  week  they  were  engaged  in  completing  and 
repairing  the  works  which  sheltered  them;  isolated 
and  cut  off  as  they  were  from  all  communication 
with  their  friends,  they  could  form  no  conception 
of  what  would  be  the  advantage,  if  any,  of  all  this 
exertion  and  suffering  ;  nor  can  we  wonder  if  an 
occasional  doubt  occurred  to  them,  that,  after  all, 
they  were  but  protracting  their  resistance,  until 
ferocious  in  the  triumph  of  victory  over  their  friends, 
the  Mexican  thousands  world  rush  over  the  little 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  12] 

garrison  like  an  avalanche.  But  the  contest  was 
now  over.  Their  safety  was  ensured  ;  and  their 
confidence  in  old  Rough  and  Ready  made  such  a 
general,  with  such  soldiers,  and  with  officers  worthy 
both  of  their  chief  and  of  their  subordinates,  in- 
vincible, as  they  have  since  proved  themselves  od 
other  well-fought  fields. 

Ocr  last  two  chapters  have  had  in  them  so 
much  of  the  cruelty  and  carnage  of  war,  that  we 
cannot  resist  the  temptation  to  allude  also  to  some 
of  its  courtesies.  We  derive  the  narrative  from  the 
correspondence  of  the  Baltimore  Republican.  Gene- 
ral La  Vega,  after  his  capture  by  Captain  May  was 
conducted  by  order  of  that  officer  to  Colonel 
Twiggs.  The  artillery  battalion  commanded  by 
Colonel  Childs  was  formed  near  the  chapparal  in  a 
square,  and  Colonel  Twiggs  sent  for  its  commander 
to  receive  the  prisoner. 

"  Colonel  Childs  when  he  came  up  dismounted  in 
courtesy  to  General  La  Vega,  who  was  on  foot. 
He  then  sent  an  order  to  his  battalion,  that  the 
prisoner  should  be  received  with  the  honour  due 
his  rank.  As  soon  as  the  General  issued  from  the 
rliapparal,  the  words  'Present  Arms'  were  given, 
The  square  'presented  arms'  in  perfect  silence, 
and,  as  he  approached,  not  a  smile  of  gratification, 
6 


122  L  I  F  E     O  F 

or  a  word  of  exultation,  was  seen  or  heard  ;  (so 
much  for  the  dehcacy  of  the  common  soldier,  who 
had,  perhaps,  the  day  before,  lost  his  nearest  friend 
by  the  enemy's  cannon-shot.)  General  La  Vega 
seemed  surprised  at  the  salute,  courteously  and 
slowly  raised  his  hat,  and  the  square  was  brought  to 
a  shoulder. 

*'  Colonel  Childs  then  called  from  his  position 
Captain  Magruder,  who  commanded  one  of  the 
companies  of  the  square.  Captain  Magruder  had 
known  General  La  Vega  before,  and  immediately 
insisted  upon  his  mounting  his  (Captain  M.'s) 
horse.  No  sooner  was  this  done,  than  it  became 
necessary  for  the  battalion  to  move  on,  and  Captain 
Magruder  was  ordered  by  Colonel  Childs  to  escort 
the  prisoner,  in  security,  with  a  small  command, 
to  General  Taylor.  Fortunately  no  rescue  was 
attempted,  as  his  command  was  very  small,  and  the 
order  was  promptly  executed,  when  General  La 
Vega  was  introduced  on  the  field,  by  Captain 
Magruder,  to  General  Taylor.  General  Taylor 
shook  him  warmly  by  the  hand,  and  addressed  to 
him  the  following  handsome  remarks : 

"  '  General :  I  do  assure  you,  I  deeply  regret  that 
this  misfortune  has  fallen  upon  you.  I  regret  it  sin- 
cerely, and  I  take  great  pleasure  in  returning  you 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  123 

the  sword  which  you  have  this  day  worn  with  so 
much  gallantry,'  handing  him,  at  the  same  time,  the 
sword  which  General  La  Vega  had  yielded  to  Cap- 
tain May.  General  La  Vega  made  a  suitable  reply 
in  Spanish,  and  was  then  taken  charge  of  by  Colonel 
Twiggs,  at  the  Colonel's  own  request,  and  enter- 
tained by  him  in  the  most  hospitable  manner,  in  his 
own  tent,  until  his  departure  for  New  Orleans." 

In  his  despatch  mentioning  the  departure  of 
General  La  Vega  and  other  officers  to  New  Orleans, 
General  Taylor  bespeaks  for  them  such  provision  as 
may  be  allowed  by  law  ;  and  remarks  that  our  own 
prisoners  were  treated  with  great  kindness  by  the 
Mexican  officers — referring  of  course  to  Captain 
Thornton's  party,  at  that  time  the  only  prisoners. 
Courtesies  on  his  personal  account  were  shown  by 
General  Taylor  to  his  brave  and  magnanimous 
prisoner;  nor  did  General  La  Vega  while  in  this 
country  find  any  reason  to  doubt  North  American 
appreciation  of  courage  and  patriotism,  though  iu 
an  officer  of  the  enemy. 


124 


LIFE     OF 


CHAPTER   XI. 

Burying  the  Dead — General  Taylor  and  Commodore  Conner— Prepa* 
rations  to  cross  to  Matamoras — Armistice  refused — Bloodless  Cap* 
ture — Respect  to  Mexican  Personal  Rights — General  Taylor  and  the 
Volunteer — Narrative  of  one  of  Captain  May's  Dragoons. 


HE  day  after  the  battle  of  Resaca  da 
la  Palma,  Sunday,  May  lOtli,  was 
devoted  by  General  Taylor  to  the 
burial  of  the  dead, —  a  melancholy 
duty,  and  one  whose  admonitions  must  ap- 
peal even  to  the  soldier's  heart;  suggesting 
the  hope  that  the  day  will  come  when  the 
teachings  of  the  Prince  of  Peace  will  be  so 
practically  acknowledged  that  nation  shall  not  lift 
up  sword  against  nation,  neither  shall  they  learn 
war  any  more.  Solemn  thoughts  must  force  them- 
selves upon  those  who  are  called  to  cover  up  from 
the  light  the  work  of  their  own  hands :  and  there 
is  little  doubt  that  the  respect  paid  to  the  dead  has 
had  a  great  influence  in  humanizing  modern  war- 
fare. So  may  we  hope  that  one  advance  npou 
another  will  be  made,  until  war  itself,  successively 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  125 

redeemed  from  barbarity  after  barbarity,  will,  in  a 
Christian  world,  be  known  no  more. 

General  Taylor  sent  to  Mata moras  for  Mexican 
surgeons  to  attend  their  own  wounded,  and  for  men 
to  bury  their  own  dead.  These  measures  doubtless 
gave  many  a  poor  fellow  the  opportunity  to  receive 
the  kind  attention  of  friends  and  relatives;  and 
taught  the  enemy  that  dreadful  in  battle  as  the 
Americans  had  shown  themselves,  they  were  not 
unmindful  of  the  dictates  of  mercy  and  humanity. 
The  exchange  of  Captain  Thornton  and  his  com- 
mand was  negotiated  on  the  11th  instant;  and  the 
army,  on  that  officer's  return,  were  entertained  with 
his  account  of  the  confidence  of  the  Mexicans  be- 
fore the  late  battles  that  victory  would  perch  upon 
their  banners.  Indeed  the  engagement  would  seem 
to  have  afforded  the  Americans,  from  tbe  Mexican 
superiority  of  force,  so  little  chance  of  escape  that 
defeat  would  have  been  no  disgrace  to  our  arms ; 
and,  therefore,  was  the  victory  the  more  glorious. 
The  army  which  General  Taylor  met,  particularly 
after  its  reinforcement  on  the  9th,  was  the  best  ap- 
pointed and  best  disciplined  which  Mexico  had  ever 
sent  into  the  field.  To  the  two  thousand  "veterans" 
which  came  into  action  at   Resaca  de  la  Palma, 


12(3  L  I  F  E      O  F 

defeat  was  positively  a  new  thing,  tor  in  their  intes- 
tine wars  they  had  always  been  victorious. 

Measures  were  now  to  be  taken  for  the  pur- 
suance of  the  triumphs  so  well  begun.  Acting 
under  orders  from  his  government,  General  Taylor 
prepared  to  take  possession  of  Matamoras.  Foi 
this  purpose  he  left  Fort  Brown  to  hold  a  commu- 
nication with  Commodore  Conner  at  Point  Isabel; 
and  to  bring  up  his  mortars  for  the  bombardment 
of  Matamoras.  The  interview  between  the  Gene- 
ral and  the  Commodore,  wittily  described  by  Mr. 
Thorpe,  in  his  work  entitled  "  Our  Army  on  the 
Rio  Grande,"  will  amuse  the  reader. 

"  The  singular  simplicity  that  marks  General 
Taylor's  personal  appearance  and  habits,  has  become 
a  subject  of  universal  fame.  It  is  curious  that  a 
soldier,  so  eminent  in  all  the  qualities  of  discipline, 
should  be  so  citizen-looking  in  his  own  appearance. 
Commodore  Conner,  on  the  contrary,  is  an  officer 
that  is  not  only  strict  in  his  dress,  but  has  an  extra 
nicety  about  it.  He  appears  in  full  and  splendid 
uniform  on  all  public  occasions,  being  the  exact 
contrast,  in  this  particular,  of  General  Taylor. 

"  At  the  proper  time.  Commodore  Conner  sent 
word  to  General  Taylor,  that  he  would  come  od 
shore  to  pay  him  a  visit  of  ceremony.     This  put 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  127 

jld  '  Rough  and  Ready  '  into  a  tremendous  excite- 
ment. If  Commodore  Ccfnner  had  quietly  come 
up  to  his  tent,  and  given  him  a  sailor's  grip,  and  sat 
down  on  a  camp-chest,  and  talked  over  matters  in 
an  old-fashioned  way.  General  Taylor  would  have 
o(;en  prepared ;  but,  to  have  the  most  carefully- 
dressed  officer  in  our  navy,  commanding  the  finest 
fleet,  come  in  full  uniform,  surrounded  by  all  the 
glittering  pomp  of  splendid  equipments — to  pay  a 
visit  of  ceremony,  was  more  than  General  Taylor 
had,  without  some  effort,  nerve  to  go  through  with  ; 
but,  ever  equal  to  the  emergencies,  he  determined 
to  compliment  Commodore  Conner,  and  through 
him  the  navy,  by  appearing  in  full  uniform,  a  thing 
his  officers,  associated  with  him  for  years,  had  never 
witnessed. 

"In  the  meanwhile,  Commodore  Conner  was 
cogitating  over  the  most  proper  way  to  compliment 
General  Taylor.  Having  heard  of  his  peculiar 
disregard  of  military  dress,  he  concluded  he  would 
make  the  visit  in  a  manner  comporting  to  General 
Taylor's  habits,  and  consequently  equipped  him- 
self in  plain  white  drilling,  and,  unattended,  came 
ashore. 

"  The  moment  General  Taylor  heard  that  Com- 
modore Conner  had  landed,  he  abandoned  some 


128  LIFE     OF 

heavy  work  he  was  personally  attending  to  about 
the  camp,  and  precipitately  rushed  into  his  tent, 
delved  at  the  bottom  of  an  old  chest,  and  pulled 
out  a  uniform  coat,  that  had  peacefully  slumbered 
for  years  in  undisturbed  quietude,  slipped  himself 
into  it,  in  his  haste  fastening  it  so  that  one  side  of 
the  standing  collar  was  three  button-holes  above  the 
other,  and  sat  himself  down  as  uncomfortable  as 
can  well  be  imagined.  With  quiet  step,  and  un- 
attended, Commodore  Conner  presented  himself  at 
General  Taylor's  tent.  The  noble  representatives 
of  the  army  and  navy  shook  hands,  both  in  exceed- 
ing astonishment  at  each  other's  personal  appear- 
ance. 

"  The  wags  of  the  army  say,  that  the  above 
contains  the  only  authentic  account  of  Genera] 
Taylor's  ever  being  '  headed,'  and  that  since  that 
time,  he  has  taken  to  linen  roundabouts,  of  the 
largest  dimensions,  with  more  pertinacity  than 
ever." 

Something  of  course  must  be  allowed,  in  a  narra- 
tive hke  the  preceding,  for  a  little  pleasant  exagger- 
ation. B.it  as  the  personal  appearance  and  manners 
of  a  commander  like  Taylor  are  subjects  of  interest, 
tney  are  entitled  to  a  place  in  our  narrative ;  and 
indeed  they  constitute  no  small   circumstances  in 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  129 

making  up  an  opinion  of  character.  Visits  or 
receptions  of  ceremony  never,  in  one  service,  have 
interfered  with  duty;  and  punctihous  as  Commo- 
dore Conner  is  stated  to  be  in  the  extract  above 
given,  he  has  shown,  in  the  landing  of  the  troops 
near  Vera  Cruz,  that  he  can  be  as  exact  and 
methodical  in  his  duty  as  it  is  possible  for  a  man 
to  be  in  toilet  or  ceremony ;  and  the  complete  suc- 
cess, and  absence  of  accident  or  disaster  which 
attended  the  disembarkation  of  the  army  of  invasion 
under  his  direction,  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable 
events  of  the  war  with  Mexico, 

Leaving  nothing  undone  to  complete  the  posst3s- 
sion  and  occupation  of  the  territory  on  the  east  of 
the  Rio  Grande,  General  Tavlor  organized  and 
despatched  a  force  which  took  peaceable  possessicvii 
of  Barita,  a  town  on  the  Mexican  bank,  at  whi(  h 
it  was  said  the  Mexicans  were  concentrating  their 
forces  for  new  operations  upon  the  disputed  terri- 
tory. In  this  bloodless  victory  a  portion  of  the 
naval  force  participated.  General  Taylor  mean- 
while returned  to  Fort  Brown  to  prosecute  the 
operations  against  Matamoras. 

Deficiency  of  means  had  delayed  any  demonstra- 
tion against  the  Mexican  town.  Had  General 
Taylor  been  provided  with  a  proper  ponton  train, 
6*  I 


130  LIFEOF 

he  could  instantly  have  followed  the  victory  of 
Resaca  de  la  Palma  by  driving  the  enemy  from 
Matamoras ;  but  being  deficient  in  the  proper 
appliances,  he  was  obhged  to  wait  a  week  to  accu- 
mulate small  boats,  and  to  bring  up  and  mount 
mortars  with  which  to  play  upon  the  town  from 
the  fort.  On  the  evening  of  the  16th,  all  was  ready; 
and  the  dispositions  for  the  order  of  march  were 
made. 

On  the  morning  of  the  17th,  the  Mexican  com- 
mander made  signals  for  a  parley.  His  messenger 
was  received,  and  desired  the  establishment  of  an 
armistice,  until  the  governments  should  determine 
the  question  of  boundary.  To  this  General  Taylor 
replied  that  the  time  for  an  armistice  was  passed. 
The  next  request  was  for  a  suspension  of  hostilities  ; 
and  this  also  General  Taylor  positively  refused. 
With  this  answer  the  Mexican  officer  retired. 

The  crossing  was  the  next  day  effected,  above 
the  town,  while  a  diversion  was  made  below,  in  the 
direction  of  Barita,  in  case  any  opposition  should 
be  offered  by  the  Mexicans.  None,  however,  was 
attempted.  Not  even  the  show  of  resistance  was 
presented ;  and  it  is  said  that  the  Mexicans  on  the 
opposite  banks  even  assisted  the  Americans  in 
landing   from   the    boats.     The  whole   manoeuvre 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  J  3] 

passed  as  quietly  and  peaceably  as  if  it  were  a* 
transporcation  of  troops  in  a  friendly  country.  One 
officer,  a  lieutenant,  was  accidentally  drowned  in 
crossing  the  river;  and  except  this,  nothing  occurred 
of  a  disastrous  nature. 

While  the  troops  were  forming  on  the  Mexican 
bank,  he  was  met  by  a  deputation  of  officers, 
who  in  the  foregone  conclusion  of  a  surrender, 
asked  if  the  government  property  could  be  retained 
by  the  Mexicans.  To  this  question,  both  here  and 
when  it  was  repeated  at  the  summons  of  the  citadel 
to  surrender,  the  same  answer,  a  denial,  was  re- 
turned. The  Prefect  on  behalf  of  the  civil  autho- 
rities, and  the  commander  of  the  citadel  on  behalf 
of  the  military,  formally  surrendered.  The  Mexican 
flag  was  hauled  down  and  the  stars  and  stripes  ran 
up  ;  mai  y  of  the  Matamoras  citizens  joined  in  the 
cheerin»  of  the  American  troops ;  a  sufficient  gar- 
rison w.\s  placed  in  the  fort;  and  the  army,  after 
movir'f^  through  the  town,  drew  off  and  encamped 
in  tho  vicinity,  without  having  fired  a  gun  in  taking 
possession.  A  party  of  troops  was  detached  to 
reconnoitre,  and  overlook  a  body  of  the  retreating 
Mexicans,  twenty-two  of  whom  they  brought  back 
as  prio  uiers. 

On   examining  the   defences,  it  was   discovered 


l32  LIFE      OF 

^hat  General  Arista  had  removed  in  his  retreat  all 
the  stores  which  could  be  taken  away ;  and  caused 
the  mortars  and  such  munitions  as  could  not  be 
removed  in  the  haste  of  departure  to  be  thrown 
into  the  wells.  It  was  a  complete  evacuation 
The  precise  motives  which  led  to  so  peaceable  a 
yielding  of  the  ground  cannot  be  determined  ;  but 
a  leading  one  was  doubtless  the  fear  of  risking 
another  engagement,  with  the  troops  under  his 
command  so  completely  dispirited.  Perhaps  the 
men  could  not  have  been  brought  up  to  the  point 
of  resistance  with  any  effect,  and  a  doubly  disas- 
trous pursuit  and  slaughter  would  have  occurred. 
The  disposition  of  the  people  of  Matamoras,  too, 
as  evinced  in  their  reception  of  the  American  army, 
and  in  their  subsequent  conduct,  was  anything  but 
favourable  to  the  expectation  that  they  would  sub- 
mit to  the  enormous  sacrifice  of  personal  rights  and 
property  which  a  defence  of  the  place  would  have 
involved. 

Perhaps  some  key  to  the  fact  that  comparatively 
little  pubHc  property  was  found  in  Matamoras.  is 
contained  in  the  imuiense  booty  taken  in  the  field. 
The  Mexicans  would  appear  from  the  articles  left 
oehind  them  in  their  several  defeats,  to  be  quite 
oriental  in  their  notions  of  the  proper  camp  equipage 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  133 

of  their  commanders,  although  the  poor  privates  ate 
far  from  sumptuously  fed  or  clothed.  The  spoils 
of  Resaca  de  la  Palma  upon  removal  to  Point 
Isabel,  made  that  post  to  borrow  the  language  of  a 
letter-writer,  quite  a  Mexican  museum.  Among 
the  articles  found  was  Ampudia's  dinner  service  of 
silver.  This  was  however  not  retained,  but  sent  to 
the  owner;  and  a  like  regard  to  personal  property 
was  generally  observed  by  the  Americans.  Orders 
were  issued  to  the  army,  upon  occupying  Mata- 
moras,  not  to  take  any  article  without  paying  its 
actual  value  ;  and  the  citizens  of  the  place  were 
permitted  to  prosecute  their  usual  employments 
without  let  or  hindrance  ;  except  that  the  selling 
of  Uquors  was  interdicted,  and  as  far  as  possible 
suppressed. 

General  Taylor  remained  in  Matamoras,  wait- 
mg  for  supplies,  reinforcements,  and  the  means  of 
transportation  until  the  5th  of  August.  During  this 
time  the  only  military  operations  consisted  of  the 
taking  possession  of  several  small  Mexican  towns, 
without  the  expenditure  of  life  or  anmiunition : 
and  with  the  great  battles  which  we  have  yet  before 
us  to  describe,  we  cannot  take  note  of  all  the  in(  i- 
dents  of  these  three  months  ;  particularly  as  they 
possess  comparatively  no  interest      The  Mexicaaa 


134  LIFE     OF 

became  accustomed  to  their  new  neighbours ,  and 
on  the  whole  derived  benefit  from  them  in  the 
market  for  provisions,  at  war  prices,  which  the  pre- 
sence of  the  army  created.  An  American  news- 
paper was  estabJished,  and  other  strange  innovations 
were  introduced  ;  but  everything  moved  on  in  as 
much  quiet  as  could  possibly  be  expected,  though 
the  stringent  regulations  of  the  General  could  not 
prevent  all  lawless  acts ;  and  American  strayers 
who  wandered  in  the  way  of  danger  sometimes 
were  beaten  or  killed  by  desperadoes.  It  is  due  to 
the  army,  regular  and  volunteers,  to  say  that  their 
conduct  was  with  very  few  exceptions  most  exem- 
plary. 

The  commanding  officer  appears  to  have  kept 
up  as  little  form  and  state  in  Matamoras,  while  civil 
and  military  dictator,  as  in  his  camp.  A  corres- 
pondent of  the  Philadelphia  Ledger,  a  volunteer, 
relates,  that  while  sitting  on  the  steps  waiting  for 
the  post-office  to  open,  early  on  the  morning  of  his 
arrival,  an  elderly  gentleman,  of  very  plain  ap{)ear- 
ance,  and  in  citizen's  dress,  came  up  to  hiui  and 
inquired,  "  to  what  regiment  do  you  belong  V  The 
volunteer  did  not  know  the  questioner,  and  merely 
replied,  "to  the  Baltimore  battalion."  He  rejoined,. 
*  O,  I  thought  you  were  a  regular,  and  was  about 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  135 

10  say  that  jou  would  miss  the  morning  parade." 
He  then  walked  away.      ,, 

In  returning  to  the  encampment  about  an  hour 
after,  the  writer  continues,  I  had  to  pass  through 
the  Plaza,  and  there,  under  an  old  tarpaulin  aw^ning, 
shaped  like  the  roof  of  a  house,  I  saw  the  same  old 
gentleman,  who,  seeing  that  I  had  newspapers  in 
my  hand,  called  me  to  hiui.  As  I  was  obeying,  the 
"  Orderly"  stopped  me  and  said,  "  No  one  can  go  to 
the  General's  tent."  I  replied,  "I  don't  care  about 
going,  but  that  old  man  called  me,  and  I  thought  1 
would  see  what  he  wanted,"  The  faithful  fellow 
still  refused,  when  the  old  man  rose  up,  and  coming 
from  under  the  awning,  said,  "pass  him  in,  orderly; 
pass  him  in."  The  latter  did  as  he  was  ordered, 
remarking  to  me  as  he  permitted  me  to  pass,  "  that 
is  the  general ;  when  you  get  up  to  him,  take  oft 
your  cap."  I  was  now  before  General  Taylor.  He 
immediately  asked,  "  who  is  your  commanding 
officer  T  I  replied,  "  Col.  Watson."  He  added,  "  I 
suppose  those  papers  are  for  him  ?"  I  answered, 
"no,  general,  they  are  mine."  He  then  asked  me 
the  dates,  on  which  I  handed  them  to  him,  and  he 
remarked,  "  I  should  like  to  read  them."  I  replied. 
•  you  can  keep  them,  sir."  He  then  looked  over 
diem,  and    handing  me   the  weeklies,  said,  "I  will 


136  LIFE      OF 

return  the  balance  to  Colonel  Watson  for  you."  1 
now  thought  it  was  time  for  me  to  retire,  and  said, 
*'  I  did  not  know  that  you  were  the  general  when  1 
saw  you  at  the  post-office  this  morning,  or  I  cer- 
tainly— "  He  interrupted  me  with,  "  no  matter, 
my  son,  no  matter  about  that."  The  most  agree 
able  part  of  this  little  adventure  to  the  volunleei 
was,  that  in  return  for  his  newspapers  the  general 
directed  the  cook  to  furnish  him  with  his  breakfast. 

At  last,  after  weary  waiting,  the  army  was  ready 
to  move.  The  volunteers  had,  in  the  mean  time, 
an  opportunity  to  acquire  discipline  by  drilling, 
though  many  of  them,  declining  to  serve  for  a  year, 
instead  of  six  months,  were  discharged  and  returned 
They  had  also  an  opportunity  to  learn  something, 
among  men  who  knew,  of  the  personal  details  of 
war  and  fighting;  and  to  descend  from  charging  in 
the  mass  to  individual  experience.  As  a  graphic 
picture  of  what  may  be  one  man's  share,  we  copy 
the  following  exciting  narrative  : 

"  On  the  second  day,  at  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  our 
troop  stood  anxiously  waiting  for  the  signal  to  be 
given,  and  never  had  I  looked  upon  men  upon 
whose  countenances  were  more  clearly  expressed  a 
fixed  determination  to  win.  The  lips  of  some  were 
pale  with  excitement,  ar  i  their  eyes  wore  that  fixed 


GENERAL      TAYLOR..  137 

expression  which  betokens  mischief;  others  with 
shut  teeth  would  quietly  lauo;h  and  catch  a  tighter 
grip  of  the  rein,  or  seat  themselves  with  care  and 
firmness  in  the  saddle,  while  quiet  words  of  con- 
fidence and  encouragement  were  passed  from  each 
to  his  neighbour.  All  at  once  Captain  May  rode  to 
the  front  of  his  troop — every  rein  and  sabre  was 
tightly  grasped.  Raising  himself  and  pointing  at 
the  battery,  he  shouted,  '  Men,  follow ,''  There 
was  now  a  clattering  of  hoofs  and  a  rattling  of 
sabre  sheaths — the  fire  of  the  enemy's  guns  was 
partly  drawn  by  Lieutenant  Ridgely,  and  the  next 
moment  we  were  sweeping  like  the  wind  up  the 
ravine.  I  was  in  a  squad  of  about  nine  men,  who 
were  separated  by  a  shower  of  grape  from  the 
battery,  and  we  were  in  advance,  Maj'  leading.  He 
turned  his  horse  opposite  the  breast-work,  in  front 
of  the  guns,  and  with  another  shout  '  to  follow,' 
leaped  over  them.  Several  of  the  horses  did  follow, 
but  mine,  being  new  and  not  well  trained,  refused  ; 
two  others  balked,  and  their  riders  started  down  the 
ravine  to  turn  the  breast-work  where  the  rest  of  the 
troop  had  entered.  I  made  another  attempt  to 
clear  the  guns  with  my  horse,  turning  him  around — 
feeling  all  the  time  secure  at  thinking  the  guns  dis- 
charged— I  put  his  head  towards  them  and  gave 


138  L  I  F  E     O  F 

him  spur,  but  he  again  balked  ;  so,  turning  his  head 
down  the  ravine,  I  too  started  to  ride  round  the 
breast-work. 

"  As  I  came  down,  a  lancer  dashed  at  me  with 
lance  in  rest.  With  my  sabre  I  parried  his  thrust, 
only  receiving  a  slight  flesh-wound  from  its  point 
in  the  arm,  which  felt  at  the  time  like  the  prick  of 
a  pin.  The  lancer  turned  and  fled  ;  at  that  moment 
a  ball  passed  through  my  horse  on  the  left  side  and 
shattered  my  right  leg.  The  shot  killed  the  horse 
instantly,  and  he  fell  upon  my  left  leg,  fastening  me 
by  his  weight  to  the  earth.  There  I  lay,  right  in 
the  midst  of  the  action,  where  carnage  was  riding 
riot,  and  every  moment  the  shot,  from  our  own  and 
the  Mexican  guns,  tearing  up  the  earth  around  me. 
I  tried  to  raise  my  horse  so  as  to  extricate  my  leg, 
but  \  had  already  grown  so  weak  with  my  wound 
that  I  was  unable,  and,  from  the  mere  attempt,  I 
fell  back  exhausted.  To  add  to  my  horror,  a  horse 
which  was  careering  about,  riderless,  within  a  few 
yards  of  me,  received  a  wound,  and  he  commenced 
struggling  and  rearing  with  pain.  Two  or  three 
times  he  came  near  falling  on  me,  but  at  length, 
with  a  scream  of  agony  and  a  bound,  he  fell  dead 
— his  body  touching  my  own  fallen  steed.  What 
I  had  been  in  momentary  dread  of,  now  occurred— 


GENERAL      TAYLOR,  139 

iny  wounded  limb,  which  was  lying  across  the  horse 
recei\ed  another  ball  in  the  ankle, 

"  I  now  felt  disposed  to  give  up ;  and,  exhausted 
through  pain  and  excitement,  a  film  gathered  over 
rnj  eyes,  vi'hich  I  thought  was  the  precursor  of  dis- 
solution. From  this  hopeless  state  I  was  aroused 
by  a  wounded  Mexican,  calling  out  to  me,  '  Bueno 
Americanal  and  turning  my  eyes  towards  the  spot, 
I  saw  that  he  was  holding  a  certificate  and  calling 
to  me.  The  tide  of  action  now  rolled  away  from 
me,  and  hope  again  sprang  up.  The  Mexican  uni- 
forms began  to  disappear  from  the  chapparal,  and 
squadrons  of  our  troops  passed  in  sight,  apparently 
in  pursuit.  While  I  was  thus  nursing  the  prospect 
of  escape,  I  beheld,  not  far  from  me,  a  villanous- 
looking  ranchero,  armed  with  an  American  Ser- 
jeant's short  sword,  despatching  a  wounded  Ameri- 
can soldier,  whose  body  he  robbed ;  the  next  he 
came  to  was  a  Mexican,  whom  he  served  the  same 
way,  and  thus  I  looked  on  while  he  murderously 
slew  four.  I  drew  an  undischarged  pistol  from  my 
holsters,  and,  laying  myself  along  my  horse's  neck, 
watched  him,  expecting  to  be  the  next  victim;  but 
something  frightened  him  from  his  vulture-like  busi- 
uess,  and  he  fled  in  another  direction.  I  need  not 
say  Caat  had  he  visited  me  I  should  have  taken  one 


140  LIFE      OF 

more  shot  at  the  enemy,  and  would  have  died  con- 
tent had  I  succeeded  in  making  such  an  assassin 
bite  the  dust.  Two  hours  after,  I  had  the  pleasure 
of  shaking  some  of  my  comrades  by  the  hand,  who 
were  picking  up  the  wounded.  They  lifted  my 
Mexican  friend,  too,  and  I  am  pleased  to  say  he,  as 
well  as  myself,  lives  to  fight  over  again  the  san- 
guinary fray  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma." 


GENERAL      TAYLOR. 


14i 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Taylor  a  Major  General. — President's  Letter. — Resolutions  of  Con- 
gress, and  of  Legislatures. — Plan  of  the  movement  against  Monterey 
— March  to  that  City. — General  Taylor's  Report  of  the  Operations 
asrainst  New  Leon. 


HE  appreciation  of  the  people  and 
government  of  the  United  States  of 
the  high  character  of  the  niiHtar}- 
exploits  of  the  8th  and  9th  of  May, 
was  made  known  to  the  army  in  a  letter 
from  the  President  accompanying  a  com- 
mission of  Major  General  by  brevet,  conferred 
upon  General  Taylor.  In  the  letter,  after 
referring  to  the  commission  conferred  upon  the 
General  for  his  gallant  conduct  and  distinguished 
services,  the  President  says  : 

"  It  gave  me  sincere  pleasure,  immediately  upon 
the  receipt  of  official  intelligence  from  the  scene 
of  your  achievements,  to  confer  upon  you,  by  and 
with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  this 
testimonial  of  the  estimate  which  your  government 
places  upon  your  skill  and  gallantry.     To  yourself 


142  LIFE     OF 

and  llie  brave  officers  and  soldiers  under  your  coiii- 
mand  the  gratitude  of  tiie  country  is  justly  due. 
Our  atmy  have  fully  sustained  their  deservedly  high 
reputation,  and  added  another  bright  page  to  the 
history  of  American  valour  and  patriotism.  They 
have  won  new  laurels  for  themselves  and  for  their 
country.  My  confidence  in  them  never  faltered. 
The  battles  of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palm? 
rank  among  our  most  brilliant  victories,  and  wil' 
long  be  remembered  by  the  American  people. 
When  all  the  details  of  these  battles  and  of  the 
noble  defence  of  the  camp  opposite  to  Matamoras 
shall  have  been  received,  it  will  be  my  pleasure,  as 
it  will  be  my  grateful  duty,  to  render  to  the  officers 
and  men  under  your  command  suitable  testimonials 
for  their  conduct  in  the  brilliant  victories  which  a 
superintending  Providence  has  enabled  them  to 
achieve  for  their  country. 

"  In  transmitting  to  you  this  commission,  and  in 
communicating  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  under 
your  conunand  my  profound  sense  of  their  meri- 
torious services,  I  but  respond  to  the  patriotic  en- 
thusiasm manifested  by  the  people  in  behalf  of  their 
brave  defenders.  Whilst  my  warmest  thanks  are 
tendered  to  the  survivors,  the  nation  mourns  the 
lo.ss  of  the  brave  officers  and  soldiers  who  fell  in 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  143 

defence  of  their  country  upon  the  field  of  victory. 
Their  names  also  shall  be  remembered,  and  appro- 
priate honours  be  paid  to  their  memory  by  a  grateful 
country. 

"  You  will  cause  this  communication  to  be  made 
known  to  the  army  under  your  command." 

Congress  passed  resolutions,  also,  of  high  ap- 
proval; and  the  legislature  of  Louisiana  presented 
him  with  a  sword  ;  while  other  states  united  in  their 
testimony  of  praise,  or  rather  responded  to  the  en- 
thusiastic commendations  which  were  everywhere 
uttered  by  the  press  and  people,  in  many  places  in 
meetings  called  for  the  purpose.  In  remembering 
the  services  of  the  general,  the  army  and  its  officers, 
regulars  and  volunteers,  have  not  been  passed  over; 
and  so  far  as  the  praise  of  a  nation  is  a  reward, 
Taylor  and  his  officers,  and  the  other  commands  in 
Mexico,  have  been  well  remembered.  General 
Taylor  was,  in  July,  appointed  a  Major  General 
under  the  act  of  Congress  for  increasing  the  regulai 
army. 

The  plan  of  procedure  adopted  by  General  Tay- 
'or  in  his  further  movements,  was  to  make  Camargo, 
on  the  Rio  Grande,  the  base  of  his  operations  in- 
stead of  Matamoras,  as  the  road  between  Camargo 
and  Monterey,  the  next  place  menaced,  was  shorter 


144  L  I  F  E     O  F 

and  more  practicable  than  the  direct  route  from 
Matamoras.  But  he  was  delayed,  first  by  the  non- 
arrival  of  the  reinforcements  on  which  he  counted  ; 
and,  next,  by  the  lack  of  means  of  transportation. 
These  circumstances  giving  the  Mexicans  rest  and 
chance  for  recovery  from  their  panic,  changed  what 
might,  perhaps,  have  been  a  triumphal  march,  into 
a  fierce  and  bloody  contest.  The  arrival  of  Santa 
Anna,  whose  conduct,  if  not  perfidious,  has  been 
inexplicable,  added,  no  doubt,  resolution  to  the  re- 
sistance which  the  Mexicans  made  against  the 
invading  army. 

On  the  5th  of  August,  General  Taylor  moved 
from  Matamoras  toward  Camargo  ;  and  late  in  the 
same  month  sent  General  Worth  forward  to  Seralvo 
to  wait  the  approach  of  the  main  body.  On  the 
7th  of  September,  General  Taylor  left  Camargo  for 
Seralvo,  and  from  thence  pushed  on  at  once  for 
Monterey.  The  proceedings  which  resulted  in  the 
capture  of  that  city  we  give  in  General  Taylor's 
own  language. 

Head-Quarters  Armv  of  Occupation,    ^ 
Camp  near  Monterey,  October  9,  1846.      3 

Sir  :  I  have  now  the  honour  to  submit  a  detailed 
"eport  of  the  recent  operations  before  Monterey, 
resulting  in  the  capitulation  of  that  city. 


GENERAL      TAYLOR,  145 

The  information  received  on  the  route  from 
Ceralvo,  and  particularly  the  continual  appearance 
in  our  front  of  the  Mexican  cavalry,  which  had  a 
slight  skirmish  with  our  advance  at  the  village  of 
Ramas,  induced  the  belief  as  we  approached  Mon- 
terey, that  the  enemy  would  defend  that  place. 
Upon  reaching  the  neighbourhood  of  the  city  on 
the  morning  of  the  19th  of  September,  this  belief 
was  fully  confirmed.  It  was  ascertained  that  he 
occupied  the  town  in  force ;  that  a  large  work  had 
been  constructed  commanding  all  the  northern 
approaches ;  and  that  the  Bishop's  Palace  and 
some  heights  in  its  vicinity  near  the  Saltillo  road, 
had  also  been  fortified  and  occupied  with  troops 
and  artillery.  It  w^as  known  from  information  pre- 
viously received,  that  the  eastern  approaches  were 
commanded  by  several  small  works  in  the  lower 
edge  of  the  city. 

The  configuration  of  the  heights  and  gorges  in 
•he  direction  of  the  Saltillo  road,  as  visible  from  the 
point  attained  by  our  advance  on  the  morning  of 
the  19th,  led  me  to  suspect  that  it  was  practicable 
to  turn  all  the  works  in  that  direction,  and  thus  cut 
the  enemy's  line  of  communication.  After  esta- 
blishing my  camp  at  the  "  Walnut  Springs,"  three 
miles  from  Monterey,  the  nearest  suitable  position, 
7  K 


146  L  I  F  E      O  F 

it  was,  accordingly,  my  first  care  to  order  a  close 
reconnoissance  of  the  ground  in  question,  which 
was  executed  on  the  evening  of  the  19th  by  the 
engineer  officers  under  the  direction  of  Majoi" 
Mansfield.  A  reconnoissance  of  the  eastern  ap- 
proaches was  at  the  same  time  made  by  Capt.  Wil- 
liams, topographical  engineers.  The  examination 
made  by  Major  Mansfield  proved  the  entire  practi- 
cability of  throwing  forward  a  column  to  the  Saltillo 
road,  and  thus  turning  the  position  of  the  enemy. 
Deeming  this  to  be  an  operation  of  essential  im- 
portance, orders  were  given  to  Brevet  Brigadier 
General  Worth,  commanding  the  second  division, 
to  march  with  his  command  on  the  20th  ;  to  turn 
the  hill  of  the  Bishop's  Palace  ;  to  occupy  a  position 
on  the  Saltillo  road ;  and  to  carry  the  enemy's  de- 
tached works  in  that  quarter,  where  practicable. 
The  first  regiment  of  Texas  mounted  volunteers, 
under  command  of  Colonel  Hays,  was  associated 
with  the  second  division  on  this  service.  Captain 
Sanders,  engineers,  and  Lieutenant  Meade,  topo- 
graphical engineers,  were  also  ordered  to  report  lo 
Generaj  Worth  for  duty  with  his  column. 

At  2  o'clock,  P.  M.,  on  the  20th,  the  second 
division  took  up  its  march.  It  was  soon  discovered, 
by  officers  who  were  reconnoitring  the  town,  and 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  147 

communicated  to  General  Worth,  that  its  move- 
ment had  been  perceived,  and  that  the  enemy  was 
throwing  reinforcements  toward  the  Bishop's  Palace 
and  the  height  which  commands  it.  To  divert  his 
attention  as  far  as  practicable,  the  first  division, 
under  Brigadier  General  Twiggs,  and  field  division 
of  volunteers,  under  Major  General  Butler,  were 
displayed  in  front  of  the  town  until  dark.  Arrange- 
ments were  made  at  the  same  time  to  place  in  bat- 
tery during  the  night,  at  a  suitable  distance  from 
the  enemy's  main  work,  the  citadel,  two  24  pounder 
howitzers,  and  a  10  inch  mortar,  with  a  view  to 
open  a  fire  on  the  following  day,  when  I  proposed 
to  make  a  diversion  in  favour  of  General  Worth's 
movement.  The  4th  infantry  covered  this  battery 
during  the  night.  General  Worth  had  in  the  mean 
time  reached  and  occupied  for  the  night,  a  defensive 
position  just  without  range  of  a  battery  above  the 
Bishop's  Palace,  having  made  a  reconnoissance  as 
far  as  the  Saltillo  road. 

Before  proceeding  to  report  the  operations  of  the 
21st  and  following  days,  I  beg  leave  to  state  that  1 
shall  mention  in  detail  only  those  which  were  con- 
ducted against  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  city,  oi 
elsewhere,  under  my  immediate  direction,  referring 
you  for  the  particulars  of  General  Worth's  opera- 


148  L  I  F  E      O  F 

tions,  which  were  entirely  detached,  to  his  own  full 
report  transmitted  herewith. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  21st,  I  received  a 
note  from  General  Worth,  written  at  half-past  9 
o'clock  the  night  hefore,  suggesting  what  I  had  al- 
/eady  intended,  a  strong  diversion  against  the  centre 
and  left  of  the  town  to  favour  his  enterprise  against 
the  heights  in  rear.  The  infantry  and  artillery  of 
the  first  division,  and  the  field  division  of  volun- 
teers, were  ordered  under  arms  and  took  the  direc- 
tion of  the  city,  leaving  one  company  of  each 
regiment  as  a  camp  guard.  The  2d  dragoons, 
under  Lieutenant  Colonel  May,  and  Colonel  Wood's 
regiment  of  Texas  mounted  volunteers,  under  the 
immediate  direction  of  General  Henderson,  were 
directed  to  the  right  to  support  General  Worth,  if 
necessary,  and  to  make  an  impression,  if  practicable, 
upon  the  upper  quarter  of  the  city.  Upon  approach- 
ing the  mortar  battery,  the  1st  and  3d  regiments  of 
infantry  and  battalion  of  Baltimore  and  Washing- 
ton volunteers,  with  Captain  Bragg's  field  battery — 
the  whole  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Garland — were  directed  towards  the  lower  part  of 
the  town,  with  orders  to  make  a  strong  demonstra- 
tion, and  ".arry  one  of  the  enemy's  advanced  works, 
if  it  could  be  done  without  too  heavy  loss.     Majot 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  149 

Mansfield,  engineers,  and  Captain  Williams,  and 
Lieutenant  Pope,  topographical  engineers,  accom- 
panied this  column,  Major  Mansfield  being  charged 
with  its  direction,  and  the  designation  of  points  of 
attack.  In  the  mean  time  the  mortar,  served  by 
Captain  Ramsay,  of  the  ordnance,  and  the  howitzer 
•battery  under  Captain  Webster,  1st  artillery,  had 
opened  their  fire  upon  the  citadel,  which  was  deli- 
berately sustained,  and  answered  from  the  work. 
General  Butler's  division  had  now  taken  up  a 
position  in  rear  of  this  battery,  wdien  the  discharges 
of  artillery,  mingled  finally  with  a  rapid  fire  of 
small-arms,  showed  that  Lieutenant  Garland's  com- 
mand had  become  warmly  engaged.  I  now  deemed 
it  necessary  to  support  this  attack,  and  accordingly 
ordered  the  4th  infantry  and  three  regiments  of 
General  Butler's  division  to  march  at  once  by  the 
left  flank  in  the  direction  of  the  advanced  work  at 
the  lower  extremity  of  the  town,  leaving  ©ne  regi- 
ment (]  St  Kentucky)  to  cover  the  mortar  and 
howitzer  battery.  By  some  mistake,  two  com- 
panies of  the  4th  infantry  did  not  receive  this  order, 
and  consequently  did  not  join  the  advance  com- 
panies until  some  time  afterwards. 

Lieutenant    Colonel    Garland's    command    had 
approached   the  town  in  a  direction   to  the   right 


J  50  L  I  F  E     O  F 

of  the  advanced  work  (No.  1.)  at  the  north-east- 
ern angle  of  the  city,  and  the  engineer  officer, 
covered  by  skirmishers,  had  succeeded  in  entering 
the  suburbs  and  gaining  cover.  The  remainder  of 
tliis  command  now  advanced  and  entered  the  town 
under  a  heavy  fire  of  artillery  from  the  citadel  and 
the  works  on  the  left,  and  of  musketry  from  the 
houses  and  small  works  in  front.  A  movement  to 
the  right  was  attempted  with  a  view  to  gain  the 
rear  of  No.  1,  and  carry  that  work ;  but  the  troops 
were  so  much  exposed  to  a  fire  which  they  could 
not  efiectually  return,  and  had  already  sustained 
such  severe  loss,  particularly  in  officers,  that  it  was 
deemed  best  to  withdraw  them  to  a  more  secure 
position.  Captain  Backus,  1st  infantry,  however, 
and  a  portion  of  his  own  and  other  companies,  had 
gained  the  roof  of  a  tannery,  which  looked  directly 
into  the  gorge  of  No.  1,  and  from  which  he  poured 
a  most  destructive  fire  into  that  work  and  upon  the 
strong  building  in  its  rear.  This  fire  happily  coin- 
cided in  point  of  time  with  the  advance  of  a  portion 
of  the  volunteer  division  upon  No.  1,  and  contri- 
buted largely  to  the  fall  of  that  strong  and  important 
work. 

The  three  regiments  of  the   volunteer  division 
under  the   immediate   command   of  Major  General 


GENERAL      TAYLQR.  15j 

Butler,  had  in  the  mean  time  advanced  in  the  direc- 
tion of  No.  1.  The  leading  brigade,  under  Briga- 
dier General  duitman,  continued  its  advance  upon 
that  work,  preceded  by  three  companies  of  the  4th 
infantry,  while  General  Butler,  with  the  1st  Ohio 
regiment,  entered  the  town  to  the  right.  The 
companies  of  the  4tli  infantry  had  advanced  within 
short  range  of  the  work,  when  they  were  received 
by  a  fire  that  almost  in  one  moment  struck  down 
one-third  of  the  officers  and  men,  and  rendered  it 
necessary  to  retire  and  effect  a  conjunction  with 
the  two  other  companies  then  advancing.  General 
Quitman's  brigade,  though  suffering  most  severely, 
particularly  in  the  Tennessee  regiment,  continued 
its  advance,  and  finally  carried  the  work  in  hand- 
some style,  as  well  as  the  strong  building  in  its 
rear.  Five  pieces  of  artillery,  a  considerable  sup- 
ply of  ammunition,  and  thirty  prisoners,  including 
three  officers,  fell  into  their  hands.  Major  General 
Butler,  with  the  1st  Ohio  regiment,  after  entering 
the  edge  of  the  town,  discovered  that  nothing  was 
to  be  accomplished  in  his  front,  and  at  this  point, 
yielding  to  the  suggestions  of  several  officers,  I 
ordered  a  retrograde  movement;  but  learning 
almost  immediately  from  one  of  tny  staff  that  the 
battery  No.  1  was  in  our  possession,  the  order  wasj 


162  LIFE     OF 

countermanded;  and  I  determined  to  hold  the  bat- 
tery  and  defences  ah'eady  gained.  General  Butler 
with  the  ]st  Ohio  regiment,  then  entered  the  town 
at  a  point  farther  to  the  left,  and  marched  in  the 
direction  of  the  battery  No.  2.  While  making  an 
examination  with  a  view  to  ascertain  the  possibility 
of  carrying  this  second  work  by  storm,  the  general 
was  wounded  and  soon  after  compelled  to  quit  the 
field.  As  the  strength  of  No.  2,  and  the  heavy 
musketry  fire  flanking  the  approach,  rendered  it 
impossible  to  carry  it  without  great  loss,  the  1st 
Ohio  regiment  was  withdrawn  from  the  town. 

Fragments  of  the  various  regiments  engaged 
were  now  under  cover  of  the  captured  battery  and 
some  buildings  in  its  front,  and  on  the  right.  The 
field  batteries  of  Captains  Bragg  and  Ridgely  were 
also  partially  covered  by  the  battery.  An  incessant 
fire  was  kept  up  on  this  position  from  batter}'  No. 
2,  and  other  works  on  its  right,  and  from  the  citadel 
on  all  our  approaches.  General  Twiggs,  though 
quite  unwell,  joined  me  at  this  point,  and  was  in- 
strumental in  causing  the  artillery  captured  from 
the  enemy  to  be  placed  in  battery,  and  served  by 
Captain  Ridgely  against  No.  2,  until  the  arrival  of 
Captain  Webster's  howitzer  battery,  which  took 
its  place.     In  the  mean  time,  I  directed  such  men 


GENERAL      TAYL  O-Jl.  153 

as  could  be  collected  of  the  1st,  3d,  and  4th  regi- 
ments, and  Baltimore  battahon,  to  enter  the  town, 
penetrating  to  the  right,  and  carry  the  2d  battery 
if  possible.  This  command,  under  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Garland,  advanced  beyond  the  bridge 
♦'  Purisima,"  when,  finding  it  impracticable  to  gain 
the  rear  of  the  2d  battery,  a  portion  of  it  sustained 
themselves  for  some  time  in  that  advanced  position; 
but  as  no  permanent  impression  could  be  made  at 
that  point,  and  the  main  object  of  the  general  ope- 
ration had  been  effected,  the  command,  including  a 
section  of  Captain  Ridgely's  battery,  which  had 
joined  it,  was  withdrawn  to  battery  No.  1.  During 
the  absence  of  this  column,  a  demonstration  of 
cavalry  was  reported  in  the  direction  of  the  citadel. 
Captain  Bragg,  who  was  at  hand,  immediately  gal- 
lopped  with  his  battery  to  a  suitable  position,  from 
which  a  few  discharges  effectually  dispersed  the 
enemy.  Captain  Miller,  1st  infantry,  was  des- 
patched with  a  mixed  command,  to  support  the 
batter}^  on  this  service.  The  enemy's  lancers  had 
previously  charged  upon  the  Ohio  and  a  part  of  the 
Mississippi  regiment,  near  some  fields  at  a  distance 
from  the  edge  of  the  town,  and  had  been  repulsed 
with  a  considerable  loss.  A  demonstration  of  cav- 
alry on  'he  opposite  side  of  the  river  was  also  dis- 
7* 


154  LIFE      OF 

persed  in  the  course  of  the  afternoon  by  Captain 
Ridgely's  battery,  and  the  squadrons  returned  to 
the  city.  At  the  ajjproach  of  evening,  all  the  troops 
that  had  been  engaged  were  ordered  back  to  camp, 
except  Captain  Ridgely's  battery,  and  the  regular 
infantry  of  the  1st  division,  who  were  detailed  as  a 
guard  for  the  works  during  the  night,  under  ccui- 
niand  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Garland.  One  batta- 
hon  of  t^ie  1st  Kentucky  regiment  was  ordered  to 
reinforce  this  command.  Intrenching  tools  were 
procured,  and  additional  strength  was  given  to  the 
works,  and  protection  to  the  men,  by  working  par- 
ties during  the  night,  under  the  direction  of  Lieu- 
tenant Scarritt,  engineers. 

The  main  object  proposed  in  the  morning  had 
been  effected.  A  powerful  diversion  had  been  made 
to  favour  the  operations  of  the  2d  division,  one  of 
the  enemy's  advanced  works  had  been  carried,  and 
we  now  had  a  strong  foot-hold  in  the  town.  But 
this  had  not  been  accomplished  without  a  heavy 
loss,  embracing  some  of  our  gallant  and  promising 
officers.  Captain  Williams,  topographical  engineers, 
Lieutenants  Terrett  and  Dilworth,  1st  infantry, 
Lieutenant  Woods,  2d  infantry.  Captains  Morris 
and  Field,  Brevet  Major  Barbour,  Lieutenants 
Irwin  and   Hazlitt,  3d   infantry,  Lieutenant  Hos* 


GENERAL      TAYLO'R.    *  155 

kins,  4tli  infantry,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Watson,  Bal- 
timore battalion,  Captain  Allen  and  Lieutenant 
Putnam,  Tennessee  regiment,  and  Lieutenant  Hett, 
Ohio  regiment,  were  killed,  or  have  since  died  of 
wounds  received  in  this  engagement ;  while  the 
number  and  rank  of  the  officers  wounded  gives  addi- 
tional proof  of  the  obstinacy  of  the  contest,  and 
the  good  conduct  of  our  troops.  The  number  of 
killed  and  wounded  incident  to  the  operations  in 
the  lower  part  of  the  city  on  the  21st  is  394. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  this  day,  (21st,)  the  ad- 
vance of  the  2d  division  had  encountered  the  enemy 
in  force,  and  after  a  brief  but  sharp  conflict,  repulsed 
him  with  heavy  loss.  General  Worth,  then  suc- 
ceeded in  gaining  a  position  on  the  Saltillo  road, 
thus  cutting  the  enemy's  line  of  communication. 
From  this  position  the  two  heights  south  of  the 
Saltillo  road  were  carried  in  succession,  and  the  gun 
taken  in  one  of  them  turned  upon  the  Bishop's 
Palace.  These  important  successes  were  fortunately 
obtained  with  comparatively  small  loss;  Captain 
McKavett,  8th  infantry,  being  the  only  officer  killed. 

The  22d  day  of  September  passed  without  any 
active  operations  in  the  lower  part  of  the  city.  The 
cuadel  and  other  works  continued  to  fire  at  partie? 
exp<">sed  to  their  range,  and  at  the  work  now  occu- 


156  *  L  I  F  E      O  F 

pied  by  our  troops.  The  guard  left  in  it  the  pre 
ceding  uight,  except  Captain  Ridgelj's  company, 
was  reheved  at  mid-day  by  General  Quitman's 
brigade  :  Captain  Bragg's  battery  was  thrown  under 
cover  in  front  of  the  town  to  repel  any  demonstra- 
tion of  cavalry  in  that  quarter.  At  dawn  of  day, 
the  height  above  the  Bishop's  Palace  was  carried, 
and  soon  after  meridian,  the  Palace  itself  was  taken 
and  its  guns  turned  upon  the  fugitive  garrison.  The 
object  for  which  the  2d  division  was  detached  had 
thus  been  completely  accomplished,  and  I  felt  con- 
fident that  with  a  strong  force  occupying  the  road 
and  heights  in  his  rear,  and  a  good  position  below 
the  city  in  our  possession,  the  enemy  could  not  pos- 
sibly maintain  the  town. 

During  the  night  of  the  22d,  the  enemy  evacuated 
nearly  all  his  defences  in  the  lower  part  of  the  city. 
This  was  reported  to  me  early  in  the  morning  of 
the  23d,  by  General  duitman,  who  had  already 
meditated  an  assault  upon  those  works.  I  immedi- 
ately sent  instructions  to  that  officer,  leaving  it  to 
his  discretion  to  enter  the  city,  covering  his  men  by 
the  houses  and  walls,  and  advance  carefully  as  far 
as  he  might  deem  prudent.  After  ordering  the  re- 
mainder of  the  troops  as  a  reserve,  under  the  orders 
of  Brigadier  General   Twiggs,  I   repaired   to  the 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  157 

abandoned  works,  and  discovered  that  a  portion  of 
General  Quitman's  brigade  had  entered  the  town, 
and  were  successfully  forcing  their  way  towards  the 
principal  plaza.  I  then  ordered  up  the  2d  regiment 
of  Texas  mounted  volunteers,  who  entered  the  city, 
dismounted,  and,  under  the  immediate  orders  of 
General  Henderson,  co-operated  with  General  Quit- 
man's brigade.  Captain  Bragg's  battery  was  also 
ordered  up,  supported  by  the  3d  infantry ;  and  after 
firing  for  some  time  at  the  cathedral,  a  portion  of  it 
^  was  likewise  thrown  into  the  city.  Our  troops  ad- 
vanced from  house  to  house,  and  from  square  to 
square,  until  they  reached  a  street  but  one  square  in 
rear  of  the  principal  plaza,  in  and  near  which  the 
enemy's  force  was  mainly  concentrated.  This  ad- 
vance was  conducted  vigorously,  but  with  due 
caution,  and  although  destructive  to  the  enemy,  was 
attended  with  but  small  loss  on  our  part.  Captain 
Ridgely,  in  the  mean  time,  had  served  a  captured 
piece  in  battery  No,  1,  against  the  city,  until  the 
advance  of  our  men  rendered  it  imprudent  to  fire  in 
the  direction  of  the  cathedral.  I  was  now  satisfied 
that  we  could  operate  successfully  in  the  city,  and 
that  the  enemy  had  retired  from  the  lower  portion 
of  it  to  make  a  stand  behind  his  barricades.  As 
General  Quitman's  brigade  had   been  on  du'^y  the 


158  L  I  F  E     O  F 

previous  i/iglit,  I  determined  to  withdraw  the  troops 
to  the  evacuated  works,  and  concert  with  General 
Worth  a  combined  attack  upon  the  town.  The 
troops  accordingly  fell  back  deliberately,  in  good 
order,  and  resumed  their  original  positions.  General 
Quitman's  brigade  being  relieved  after  nightfall  by 
that  of  General  Hamer.  On  my  return  to  camp,  1 
met  an  officer  with  the  intelligence  that  General 
Worth,  induced  by  the  firing  in  the  lower  part  of 
the  city,  was  about  making  an  attack  at  the  upper 
extremity,  which  had  also  been  evacuated  by  the 
enemy  to  a  considerable  distance.  I  regretted  that 
this  information  had  not  reached  me  before  leaving 
the  city,  but  still  deemed  it  inexpedient  to  change 
my  orders,  and  accordingly  returned  to  the  camp. 
A  note  from  General  Worth,  written  at  11  o'clock, 
P.  M.,  informed  me  that  he  had  advanced  to  within 
a  short  distance  of  the  principal  plaza,  and  that  the 
mortar  (which  had  been  sent  to  his  division  in  the 
morning)  was  doing  good  execution  within  effective 
range  of  the  enemy's  position. 

Desiring  to  make  no  further  attempt  upon  the 
city  without  complete  concert  as  to  the  lines  and 
mode  of  approach,  I  instructed  that  officer  to  sus- 
pend his  advance  until  I  could  have  an  interview 


GENERAL     TAYLO'R.  159 

with  him  on  the  following   morninfi;  at  his  head- 
quarters. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  24th,  I  received, 
through  Colonel  Moreno,  a  communication  from 
General  Ampudia,  proposing  to  evacuate  the  town ; 
which,  with  the  answer,  were  forwarded  with  my 
first  despatch.  I  arranged  with  Colonel  Moreno  a 
cessation  of  fire  until  twelve  o'clock,  at  which  hour 
I  would  receive  the  answer  of  the  Mexican  general 
at  General  Worth's  head-quarters,  to  which  I  soon 
repaired.  In  the  mean  time,  General  Ampudia  had 
signified  to  General  Worth  his  desire  for  a  personal 
interview  with  me,  to  which  I  acceded,  and  which 
finally  resulted  in  a  capitulation,  placing  the  town 
and  the  material  of  war,  with  certain  exceptions,  in 
our  possession.  A  copy  of  that  capitulation  was 
transmitted  with  my  first  despatch. 

Upon  occupying  the  city,  it  was  discovered  to 
be  of  great  strength  in  itself,  and  to  have  it> 
approaches  carefully  and  strongly  fortified.  The 
town  and  works  were  armed  with  forty-two  piece.^ 
of  cannon,  well  supplied  with  aimnunition,  and 
manned  with  a  force  of  at  least  7000  troops  of  the 
line,  and  from  2000  to  3000  irregulars.  The  force 
tinder  my  orders  before  Monterey,  as  exhibited  by 
the    accompanying    return,   vvas   425    officers,  and 


160  L  I  F  E     O  F 

6220  men.  Our  artiiieiy  cousisteu  of  one  10  inch 
mortar,  two  24-poLmder  howitzers,  and  foui  hght 
field  batteries  of  four  guns  each — tlie  mortar  being 
the  only  piece  suitable  to  the  operations  of  a  siege 

Our  loss  is  twelve  officers  and  one  hundred  and 
eight  men  killed;  thirty-one  officers  and  three  hun- 
dred and  thirty-seven  men  wounded.  That  of  the 
enemy  is  not  known,  but  is  believed  considerably 
to  exceed  our  own. 

I  take  pleasure  in  bringing  to  the  notice  of  the 
government  the  good  conduct  of  the  troops,  both 
regulars  and  volunteers,  which  has  been  conspicuous 
throughout  the  operations.  I  am  proud  to  bear 
testimony  to  their  coolness  and  constancy  in  battle, 
and  the  ciieerfulness  with  which  they  have  submit- 
ted to  exposure  and  privation.  To  the  general 
officers  commanding  divisions  —  iMajor  Generals 
Butler  and  Henderson,  and  Brigadier  Generals 
Twiggs  and  Worth — I  must  express  my  obligations 
for  the  efficient  aid  which  they  liave  rendered  in 
their  respective  coimiiands,  I  was  unfortunately 
deprived,  early  on  the  21st,  of  the  valuable  services 
of  Major  General  Butler,  who  was  disabled  by  a 
wound  received  in  the  attack  on  the  city.  Major 
General  Henderson,  commanding  the  Texan  vol- 
unteers  iias  given  me  important  aid  in  the  organi- 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  161 

zation  of  the  command,  and  its  subsequent  opera- 
tions. Brigadier  General  Twiggs  rendered  import- 
ant services  with  liis  division,  and  as  the  second  in 
command  after  Major  General  Butler  was  disabled. 
Brigadier  General  Worth  was  intrusted  with  an 
important  detachment  which  rendered  his  opera- 
tions independent  of  my  own.  These  operations 
were  conducted  with  ability,  and  crowned  with 
complete  success. 

I  desire  also  to  notice  Brigadier  Generals  Hamer 
and  duitman,  commanding  brigades  in  General 
Butler's  division.  Lieutenant  Colonels  Garland 
and  Wilson,  commanding  brigades  in  General 
Twiggs'  division.  Colonels  Mitchell,  Campbell, 
Davis  and  Wood,  connnanding  the  Ohio,  Tennes- 
see, Mississippi,  and  2d  Texas  regiments,  respec- 
tively, and  Majors  Lear,  Allen,  and  Abercrombie, 
commanding  the  3d,  4th,  and  1st  regiments  of  in- 
fantry ;  all  of  whom  served  under  my  eye,  and 
conducted  their  commands  with  coolness  and  gal- 
lantry against  the  enemy.  Colonel  Mitchell, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  McClung,  Mississippi  regiment, 
Major  Lear,  3d  infantry,  and  Major  Alexander, 
Tennessee  regiment,  were  all  severely  wounded,  as 
were  Captain  Lamotte,  1st  infantry,  Lieutenant 
Graham,  4th  infantry,   Adjutant   Armstrong,   Ohio 

L 


162  LIFE      OF 

regiment,  Lieutenants  Scudder  and  Allen,  Tennes- 
see regiment,  and  Lieutenant  Howard,  Mississippi 
regiment,  while  leading  their  men  against  the  ene- 
my's position,  on  the  21st  and  23d.  After  the  fall 
of  Colonel  Mitchell,  the  command  of  the  1st  Ohio 
regiment  devolved  upon  Lieutenant  Colonel  Weller ; 
that  of  the  3d  infantry,  after  the  fall  of  Major  Lear, 
devolved  in  succession  upon  Captain  Bainbridge 
and  Captq.in  Henry,  the  former  being  also  wound- 
ed. The  following  named  officers  have  been 
favourably  noticed  by  their  commanders :  Lieute- 
nant Colonel  Anderson,  and  Adjutant  Heiman, 
Tennessee  regiment ;  Lieutenant  Colonel  McCIung, 
Captains  Cooper  and  Downing,  Lieutenants  Patter- 
son, Calhoun,  Moore,  Russell,  and  Cook,  Mississippi 
regiment ;  also  Sergeant  Major  Hearlan,  Mississippi 
regiment,  and  Major  Price,  and  Captain  J.  Smith, 
unattached  but  serving  with  it.  I  beg  leave  also  to 
call  attention  to  the  good  conduct  of  Captain  John- 
ston, Ohio  regiment,  and  Lieutenant  Hooker,  1st 
artillery,  serving  on  the  statf  of  General  Hamer,  and 
of  Lieutenant  Nichols,  2d  artillery,  on  that  of  Gene- 
ral Quitman.  Captains  Bragg  and  Ridgely  served 
with  their  batteries  during  the  operations  under  my 
own  observation,  and  in  part  under  my  immediate 
orders,  and  exhibited  distinguished  skill    and  gal- 


GENERAL      TAYlOR.  163 

lantry  Captain  Webster,  1st  artillery,  assisted  by 
Lieutenants  Donaldson  and  Bowen,  rendered  good 
service  with  the  howitzer  battery,  which  was  much 
exposed  to  the  enemy's  fire  on  the  2]st. 

From  the  nature  of  the  operations,  the  2d  dra- 
goons were  not  brought  into  action,  but  were  use- 
fully employed  under  the  direction  of  Lieutenant 
Colonel  May,  as  escorts,  and  in  keeping  open  our 
communications.  The  1st  Kentucky  regiment  was 
also  prevented  from  participating  in  the  action  of 
the  21st,  but  rendered  highly  important  services 
under  Colonel  Ormsby,  in  covering  the  mortar  bat- 
tery, and  holding  in  check  the  enemy's  cavalry 
during  the  day. 

I  have  noticed  above  the  officers  whose  conduct 
either  fell  under  my  immediate  eye,  or  is  noticed 
only  in  minor  reports  which  are  not  forwarded.  For 
further  mention  of  individuals,  1  beg  leave  to  refer 
to  the  reports  of  division  commanders,  herewith 
respectfully  transmitted.  1  fully  concur  in  their 
recommendations,  and  desire  that  they  be  considered 
as  a  part  of  my  own  report. 

From  the  officers  of  my  personal  staff,  and  of  the 
engineers,  topographical  engineers,  and  ordnance 
associated  with  me,  I  have  derived  valuable  and 
efficient  assistance  during  the  operations.     Colonel 


i  04  LIFE      OF 

Whiting,  assistant  quartermaster  general,  Colonels 
Croghan  and  Belknap,  inspectors  general,  Major 
Bliss,  assistant  adjutant  general,  Captain  Sibley, 
assistant  quartermaster.  Captain  Waggaman,  com- 
iiissarj  of  subsistence,  Captain  Eaton  and  Lieute- 
nant Garnett,  aids-de-camp,  and  Majors  Kirby  and 
Van  Buren,  pay  department,  served  near  my  person, 
and  were  ever  prompt,  in  all  situations,  in  the  com- 
munication of  my  orders  and  instructions.  I  must 
express  my  particular  obligations  to  Brevet  Major 
Mansfield  and  Lieutenant  Scarrit,  corps  of  engi- 
neers. They  both  rendered  most  important  services 
in  reconnoitring  the  enemy's  positions,  conducting 
troops  in  attack,  and  strengthening  the  works  cap- 
tured from  the  enemy.  Major  Mansfield,  though 
wounded  on  the  21st,  remained  on  duty  during  that 
and  the  following  day,  until  confined  by  his  wound 
to  camp.  Captain  Williams,  topographical  engi- 
neers, to  my  great  regret  and  the  loss  of  the  service, 
was  mortally  wounded  while  fearlessly  exposing 
himself  in  the  attack  of  the  21st.  Lieutenant  Pope, 
of  the  same  corps,  was  active  and  zealous  through- 
out the  operations.  Major  Munroe,  chief  of  the 
artillery.  Major  Craig  and  Captain  Ramsay,  of  the 
ordnance,  were  assiduous  in  the  performance  of 
their   proper   duties.      The    former   superintended 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  165 

their  mortar  service  on  the  22d,  as  particularly  men- 
tioned in  the  report  of  General  Worth,  to  which  I 
also  refer  for  the  services  of  the  engineer  and  topo- 
graphical officers  detached  with  the  second  division. 
Surgeon  Craig,  medical  director,  was  actively 
employed  in  the  important  duties  of  his  department, 
and  the  medical  staff  generally  were  unremitting  in 
their  attention  to  the  numerous  wounded  —  their 
duties  with  the  regular  regiments  being  rendered 
uncommonly  arduous  by  the  small  number  serving 
in  the  field. 

Z.  TAYLOR, 

Major  General  U.  S.  J,,  Commanding. 
The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army,  7 
Washington,  D.C.      S 

The  last  paragraph  of  the  despatch,  which  we 
have  omitted,  is  a  reference  to  certain  maps  and 
documents,  forwarded  with  it. 


166 


LIFE     OF 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Terms  of  the  Capitulation. — Remarks  upon  tiie  Plan  of  the  Advance 
against  Monterey. — General  Worth. — Review  of  his  past  Services,— 
Character  of  his  operations  at  Monterey.  —  Heroic  Deeds  of  the 
21st. — Storming  of  the  Palace  Heights  on  the  22d. — Operations 
of  the  23d. — Interval  between  the  Battles  of  Monterey  and  Buena 
Vista. 


HE  terms  of  capitulation  bj  which 
Monterey  surrendered  to  the  Ame- 
rican commander  were,  briefly,  as 
follows  :  That  the  officers  should  be 
allowed  to  march  out  with  their  side-arms  ; 
that  the  cavalry  and  infantry  should  be 
allowed  to  march  out  with  their  arms  and 
accoutrements ;  that  the  artillery  should  be 
allowed  to  march  out  with  one  battery  of  six  pieces 
and  twenty-one  rounds  of  ammunition  ;  that  alJ 
other  munitions  of  war  and  supplies  should  be 
turned  over  to  a  board  of  American  officers  appointed 
to  receive  them  ;  that  the  Mexican  army  should  be 
allowed  seven  days  to  evacuate  the  city,  and  that 
the  American  troops  should  not  occupy  it  until 
evacuated ;  that  the  cathedral  fort  or  citadel  should 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  167 

be  evacuated  at  10  A.  M.  next  day,  the  25tli.  The 
Mexicans  were  then  to  march  out,  and  the  Ameri- 
can garrison  to  march  in.  The  Mexicans  were 
allowed  to  salute  their  flag  wdien  hauled  down  ; 
that  there  should  be  an  armistice  of  eight  weeks, 
during  which  time  neither  army  should  pass  a  line 
running  from  the  Rinconada  through  Linares  and 
San  Fernando. 

These  terms  were  the  subject  of  some  animad- 
version, when  they  were  received  in  the  United 
States  ;  but  the  event  has  proved  their  wisdom  and 
excellent  policy.  They  saved  on  the  part  of  the 
Mexicans  a  great  part  of  the  exasperation  of  defeat, 
and  crowned  the  conquest  of  arms  with  the  more 
potent  victory  of  magnanimity.  The  people  were 
persuaded  to  the  inference  and  belief,  the  procla- 
mations of  the  authorities  to  the  contrary  notwith- 
standing, that  the  war  was  against  the  government, 
and  not  against  the  nation  ;  that  it  was  one  waged 
for  the  establishment  of  certain  rights  and  principles 
claimed  by  the  Americans,  and  not  a  war  against 
religion,  or  an  incursion  for  plunder.  But  above  all 
are  the  moderate  terms  upon  which  the  armistice 
was  arranged  to  be  commended,  because  they  saved 
humanity  th^,  horrors  of  an  assault  and  the  sacking 
of  the  city.     In  such  an  event  as  the  carrying  of  a 


168  L  I  F  E     O  F 

town  by  storm,  it  has  ever  been  the  case  that  the 
most  disgusting  horrors  of  warfare  have  occurred  ; 
and  that  the  dearest  rights  and  the  most  sacred 
duties  of  human  nature,  and  of  Christian  obhga- 
tion,  have  been  outraged.  To  the  high  honour  of 
General  Taylor  and  his  officers  let  it  be  recorded 
that  to  the  inevitable  terrors  of  war  temptations 
like  those  of  a  city  carried  at  the  point  of  the  bayo- 
net were  not  added  ;  and  that  our  soldiers  took 
possession  of  Monterey  like  men  with  human  feel- 
ings, instead  of  rushing  in  with  passions  excited  by 
the  ardour  of  resistance,  and  with  their  finer  feel- 
ings blunted  and  forgotten  in  the  triumph  of  a 
furious  and  costly  victory,  disputed  to  the  last  inch, 
by  the  desperate  terror  of  a  population  maddened 
by  despair. 

In  the  preceding  chapter  we  have  given  the  cool 
and  methodical  account  of  the  engagement  fur- 
nished by  General  Taylor :  upon  that  modest  narra- 
tive we  shall  in  this  chapter  add  some  of  the  most 
remarkable  incidents  which  are  given  by  others, 
but  could  not  be  included  in  the  grave  relation  of 
an  official  paper.  Certain  omissions  are  noticed 
in  that  report,  for  the  filling  up  of  which  General 
Taylor  refers  to  other  documents.  For  these 
entire,    we   cannot    find    space ;    nor    would    theii 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  169 

necessarily  mechanical  character  of  detail  interest 
oar  readers  ;  but  we  have  endeavoured  to  embody 
all  the  facts  of  public  importance  which  ihey  con- 
tain, and  all  the  circumstances  for  which  our  plan 
and  limits  atford  scope.  A  large  book  might  be 
prepared  out  of  the  material  furnished  by  the  single 
affair  of  Monterey  alone. 

The  general  plan  of  the  attack  appears  to  have 
been  arranged  as  follows :  The  first  division  of 
regulars,  General  Twiggs,  and  the  volunteer  division, 
General  Butler,  were  to  approach  the  eastern  side 
of  the  town,  where  batteries  had  been  erected  to 
defend  its  approaches,  and  where,  as  the  streets 
were  entered,  it  was  found  that  every  house,  if 
in  a  practicable  situation,  was  a  citadel.  To  the 
second  division,  under  General  Worth,  was  com- 
mitted the  difficult  and  highly  important  work  of 
taking  possession  of  the  Bishop's  Palace,  the  fort 
and  heights  which  commanded  the  town  on  the 
west.  While  the  army  in  Texas  was  a  mere  army 
of  occupation  ;  and  few  in  Texas  or  in  the  United 
States  deemed  that  actual  hostilities  would  occur,  a 
point  of  military  pride  induced  General  Worth  to 
send  in  the  resignation  of  his  connnission,  after 
rising  from  the  ranks  in  1812  to  the  brevet  rank  of 
Brigadier  General.  He  distinguished  himself  by 
8 


170  L  I  F  E      O  F 

all  the  qualities  which  mark  the  soldier  in  th^  wat 
of  ]812,  and  was  one  of  the  most  efficient  and 
laborious  officers  in  the  Florida  campaign.  Sensi- 
tive as  brave,  he  resigned  his  commission,  as  we 
have  already  stated,  in  1846.  Whatever  may  be 
said  of  the  cause  of  this  act,  he  deeply  regretted  it 
when  he  found  that  it  had  debarred  him  partici- 
pation in  the  engagements  of  Palo  Alto  and  Ilesaca 
de  la  Pahna ;  and  w^aiving  all  punctilio,  withdrew 
his  resignation,  and  hurried  to  Matamoras  to  share 
the  dangers  and  the  glories  of  his  victorious  coun- 
trymen. In  the  battle  of  Monterey,  his  duty,  as  it 
was  most  responsible,  was  most  difficult ;  and  it  was 
so  performed,  that  to  General  Worth  and  his  gal- 
lant command  belongs  the  high  honour  of  an  im- 
portant share  in  that  engagement.  And  we  may 
here  observe,  to  his  high  credit  as  a  conscientious 
man,  that  though  naturally  burning  to  distinguish 
himself,  after  the  unfortunate  step  taken  in  his 
resignation,  he  did  not  expose  his  command  to 
unnecessary  danger  for  the  vain  purpose  of  cover- 
ing himself  with  the  eclat  of  a  brilliant  operation  ; 
but  united  to  his  courage  the  prudence  of  a  veteran, 
and  made  his  advances  with  as  much  circumspection 
and  caro,  as  if  he  had  been  unstung  by  any  inter- 
ruption   in    the    routine    of  his    service.     General 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  171 

Worth  the  man  —  outshone  General  Worth  the 
soldier — for  he  sacrificed  none  of  his  troops  to  any 
purpose  of  personal  distinction ;  and  in  this  respect 
he  towers  above  many  commanders  whose  names 
have  long  been  synonymes  for  all  that  is  desperate 
in  courage  and  brilliant  in  victory. 

On  the  20th,  General  Worth  moved  toward  the 
Saltillo  road,  on  the  west  of  the  town.  It  was  now 
discovered  that  two  heights  west  of  the  Bishop's 
palace  had  been  occupied  and  fortified.  Beside 
these  two,  the  eminence  on  which  the  palace  stands 
was  occupied  above  that  edifice ;  adjoining  it  is  a 
fort ;  and  the  building  itself  was  very  strongly  de- 
fended. The  day's  work  of  the  21st  was  to  take 
the  two  heights  first  mentioned.  In  this  dashing 
service,  the  Texan  Rangers  and  Louisiana  volun- 
teers did  efficient  service  with  the  regular  troops. 
On  taking  possession  of  these  heights,  the  guns  on 
that  nearest  the  palace  were  immediately  turned «f 
against  their  former  owners. 

On  the  22d,  at  day-break,  a  detachment  consist- 
ing of  artillery,  infantry,  and  Texans,  the  whole 
under  command  of  Colonel  Childs,  was  ordered  to 
take  possession  of  the  heights  above  the  palace. 
The  movement  was  made  with  such  secresy  that 
ihe  assaihnts  were  within  a  hundred  yards  of  the 


172  LIFE      OF 

breastwork  before  they  were  perceived ;  and  the 
three  first  of  the  storming-party  rushing  too  fast, 
found  themselves  in  the  hands  of  the  Mexicans 
They  surrendered,  but  were  killed  with  their  own 
arms.  The  labour  of  this  assault,  climbing  in  the 
face  of  the  enemy,  was  of  itself  most  desperate.  To 
divert  the  attention  of  the  castle  and  palace,  a 
movement  was  made  in  another  direction,  by  the 
7th  infantry,  who  had  bivouacked  on  one  of  the 
heights  taken  on  the  day  before.  They  marched 
down  from  the  hill  with  cheers,  and  drew  the  fire 
from  the  palace,  while  the  command  of  Colonel 
Childs,  supported  by  reinforcements,  was  carrying 
the  hill  above  them.  An  officer  of  the  army  who 
was  with  the  division  engaged  in  town,  says  that  at 
the  grey  of  dawn  he  witnessed  from  his  position  the 
storming  of  the  heights.  .The  first  intimation  was 
the  discharge  of  musketry  near  the  top  of  the  hill. 
■*"Each  flash  looked  like  an  electric  spark.  The 
flashes  and  the  white  smoke  ascended  the  hill-side 
as  steadily  as  if  worked  by  machinery.  The  dark 
space  between  the  apex  of  the  height  and  the  curl- 
ing smoke  of  the  musketry  grew  less  and  less, 
until  the  whole  became  enveloped  in  smoke,  and 
we  knew  that  our  gallant  troops  had  carried  it.  It 
v»'as  a  glorious  sight,  and  quite  warmed  our  cold  and 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  173 

chilled  bodies,"  The  reader  will  imagine  how 
much  they  needed  warmth,  when  he  is  reminded 
that  these  soldiers  had  lain  all  night  in  the  rain 
upon  the  ground,  all  without  blankets,  and  many  in 
their  shirt-sleeves.  The  division  under  General 
Worth,  whose  exploits  we  have  been  relating,  left 
the  camp  with  only  two  days'  rations,  much  of 
which  scanty  supply  w^as  spoiled  by  the  rain,  and 
climbed  and  fought  for  forty-eight  hours,  many  of 
them  without  any  food  except  raw  corn.  A  howit- 
zer was  carried —fairly  lifted  upon  the  heights 
above  the  palace,  and  opened  upon  the  edifice, 
which  was  filled  with  troops.  The  Mexicans 
charged  upon  it,  but  were  repulsed.  It  opened  a 
plunging  fire  upon  the  palace ;  w^iile  the  fire  of 
musketry  was  also  hotly  kept  up. 

About  noon  the  Mexican  cavalry  deployed  before 
the  palace,  and  made  an  attempt  to  charge  the  skir- 
mishers. Captain  Vinton  repulsed  them  with  his 
light  troops,  and  prevented  many  from  re-entering, 
rushing  in  themselves  at  every  opening.  At  the 
same  moment  a  charge  was  ordered  —  and  through 
a  breach  made  by  the  howitzer  the  gallant  troops 
rushed  in,  and  in  a  short  time  the  formidable  palace, 
and  the  fort  adjoining  its  walls,  were  clear  of  every 
Mexican      In  this  assault  the  killed  on  the  side  of 


174  L  I  F  E      O  F 

the  Americans  were  seven,  and  the  wounded 
twelve ;  the  Mexicans  losing  thirty  killed,  at  least. 
On  the  morning  of  the  23d,  General  Worth  com- 
menced firing  into  the  city  its  own  ammunition, 
and  a  fire  was  also  opened  from  one  of  the  heights 
taken  on  the  21st.  A  ten-inch  mortar  had  been 
received  from  General  Taylor,  and  now  General 
Worth,  having  driven  in  the  enemy  from  their  outer 
works,  entered  the  city  from  the  western  side. 
Through  this  day  the  division  under  General 
Worth  were  engaged  in  street  skirmishes,  forcing 
their  way  into  the  city,  every  step  being  disputed, 
and  every  house  a  fortification.  At  night  the 
Americans  took  possession  of  a  Plaza  or  square, 
occupying  the  houses  on  both  sides,  and  playing 
with  bombs  upon  the  enemy.  The  Mexicans  were 
now  driven  as  far  before  Worth's  division  as  they 
could  go  without  falling  into  the  hands  of  Genera) 
Ta}lor,  on  the  other  side.  All  the  defensive  work? 
were  taken  except  the  citadel,  near  the  centre  of 
the  place;  and  the  Mexican  troops  were  now  prin- 
cipally posted  in  the  main  Plaza,  or  square.  The 
Texans  and  JMississippians  worked  with  pickaxes, 
opening  their  path  toward  the  principal  position 
of  the  enemy.  But  slight  obstructions  still  remair  ed 
on  the  morning  of  the  24th,      Through  the  nighf 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  ]  75 

ol  the  23d  these  sappers  were  busy,  and  by  mora- 
ing  had  travelled  through  a  whole  street ;  and  had 
erected  a  battery,  which,  upon  throwing  down  the 
slight  walls  which  concealed  it  from  the  Plaza, 
would  have  poured  into  the  Mexicans  with  most 
terrific  effect.  At  this  point  proceedings  were  sus- 
pended by  the  conference  between  Generals  Taylor 
and  Ampudia. 

Our  limits  preclude  farther  details ;  and  from  the 
official  report  of  General  Taylor  and  the  sketch  we 
have  given  of  the  operations  of  General  Worth, 
the  reader  will  gather  how  an  army  of  less  than 
seven  thousand  men,  many  of  them  volunteers,  took 
a  strong  city,  defended  by  at  least  seven  thousand 
regulars,  and  nearly  as  many  irregular  troops,  strongly 
fortified  in  their  position,  and  contending  for  the 
defence  of  their  country.  We  should  be  pleased 
farther  to  particularise  the  instances  of  individual 
gallantry  ;  but  must  dismiss  this  part  of  the  subject 
with  the  remark  that  the  operations  of  the  besiegers 
exhibit  no  instance  of  any  other  than  gallant  con- 
duct. Defection  or  cowardice  would  have  ruined 
the  enterprise.  The  hardihood  and  patient  en- 
durance of  labour  and  of  safforing  which  our  troops 
displayed,  merit  the  high  encomiums  which  have 
Dceu  paid  them  by  their  several  officers ;  and  which 


l76  LIFE      OF 

the  verdict  of  the  nation  has  endorsed.  To  take 
such  a  city,  with  an  ineqiiahtj'  of  force,  and  with- 
out a  battering  train,  is  indeed  a  feat  which  would 
give  character  to  a  whole  war,  if  there  were  no 
other  brilliant  events  in  its  history.  But  before  it 
came  Jfalo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  and  after 
it  Buena  Vista ;  to  say  nothing  of  the  operations 
o''  Vera  Cruz  and  Cerro  Gordo. 

Between  the  siege  of  Monterey  and  the  battle 
of  Buena  Vista  five  months  intervened.  During 
that  period  the  main  body  of  General  Taylor's 
force  was  reduced  to  a  very  small  number,  but  was 
subsequently  reinforced  by  arrivals  of  volunteers. 
The  "Central  Division  of  the  Army  of  Mexico," 
organised  by  General  Wool,  under  orders  from  the 
War  Department,  crossed  the  Rio  Grande  at  Pre- 
sidio, and  after  a  march  through  an  unfrequented 
part  of  Mexico,  marked  by  no  event  save  the  peace- 
ful capture  of  Chihuahua,  joined  the  main  body 
under  General  Taylor,  in  season  for  the  victory  of 
Bnena  Vista. 

The  troops  withdrawn  from  General  Taylor,  and 
ordered  to  march  under  command  of  General  Worth 
toward  Vera  Cruz,  were  taken  leave  of  by  their 
gallant  commander  in  a  characteristic  and  feelin^ 
address.     He  then  fell  back  on  Monterey,  and  ii> 


GENE  HAL     TaYLOR.  177 

February  iiad  received  accessions  to  his  force, 
bringing  it  up  to  about  6000  men.  With  these 
and  the  accessions  received,  he  still  kept  command 
of  his  points  in  advance,  notwithstanding  that  he 
had  been  recommended  to  fall  back  on  Monterey 
The  event  proved  his  skill  and  sagacity. 

The  details  of  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista  we  leave 
to  the  official  report  of  General  Taylor,  which  will 
be  found  in  the  next  chapter 


178 


I,  J  F  E    OF 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

Official  Report  af  General  Taylor  —  Preparations  for  Battle — Move 
ments  of  diiTerent  bodies — Gallantry  of  Officers  and  Men — Loss  of 
Officers  and  Soldiers. 


IE  could  not  give  a  more  distinct  and 
satisfactory  chart  of  the  movemenls 
of   the   troops  during  the  engage- 
^i^^'o^^  ment  at   Buena   Vista,   nor  at   the 

same  time  a  more  intelligible  general  narra- 
tive, than  by  quoting  the  despatch  of  the 
General  commanding 

Head-Quarters  Army  of  Occupation,   7 
Jgua  Nueva,  March  6,  1847.      3 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honour  to  submit  a  detailed  re- 
port of  the  operations  of  the  forces  under  my  com- 
mand, which  resulted  in  the  engagement  of  Baena 
Vista,  the  repulse  of  the  Mexican  army,  and  the  re- 
occupation  of  this  position. 

The  information  which  reached  me  of  the  advance 
and  concentration  of  a  heavy  Mexican  force  in  my 
front,  had  assumed  such  a  probable  form,  as  to  induce 


GENERAL      TAYLOR  179 

a  special  examination  far  bejond  the  reach  of  oiii 
pickets,  to  ascertain  its  correctness.  A  small  party 
of  Texan  spies,  under  Major  McCullough,  des- 
patched to  the  hacienda  of  Encarnacion,  thirty  miles 
from  this,  on  the  route  to  San  Luis  Potosi,  had 
reported  a  cavalry  force  of  unknown  strength  at  that 
place.  On  the  20th  of  February,  a  strong  recon- 
noissance  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  May  was  des- 
patched to  the  hacienda  of  Heclionda,  while  Major 
McCullough  made  another  examination  of  Encar- 
nacion. The  result  of  these  expeditions  left  no 
doubt  that  the  enemy  was  in  large  ft  rce  at  Encar- 
nacion, under  the  oi^ders  of  General  Santa  Annaj 
and  that  he  meditated  a  forward  movement  and 
attack  upon  our  position. 

As  the  camp  of  Agua  Nueva  could  be  turned  on 
either  flank,  and  as  the  enemy's  force  was  greatly 
superior  to  our  own,  particularly  in  the  arm  of 
cavalry,  I  determined,  after  much  consideration,  to 
take  up  a  position  about  eleven  miles  in  rear,  and 
there  await  the  attack.  The  army  broke  up  its 
camp  and  marched  at  noon  on  the  21st,  encamping 
at  the  new  position  a  little  in  front  of  the  hacienda 
o{  Buena  Vista.  With  a  small  force  T  proceeded 
to  SaltiJlo,  to  make  some  necessary  arrangements 
for    the    defence    of  the    town,   leaving    Brigadier 


180  LIFE      OF 

General  Wool  in  the  immediate  command  of  the 
troops. 

Before  those  arrangements  were  completed,  on 
the  morning  of  the  22d,  I  was  advised  that  the 
enemy  was  in  sight,  advancing.  Upon  reaching 
the  ground  it  was  found  that  his  cavalry  advance 
Nas  in  our  front,  having  marched  from  Encarnacion, 
as  we  have  since  learned,  at  11  o'clock  on  the  day 
previous,  and  driving  in  a  mounted  force  left  al" 
Agua  Nueva  to  cover  the  removal  of  public  stores. 
Our  troops  were  in  position,  occupying  a  line  of  re- 
markable stren^^th.  The  road  at  this  point  becomes 
a  narrow  defile,  the  valley  on  its  right  being  ren- 
dered quite  impracticable  for  artillery  by  a  system 
of  deep  and  impassable  gulhes,  while  on  the  left  a 
succession  of  rugged  ridges  and  precipitous  ravines 
extends  far  back  toward  the  mountain  which  bounds 
the  valley.  The  features  of  the  ground  were  such 
as  nearly  to  paralyze  the  artillery  and  cavah-y  of 
the  enemy,  while  his  infantry  could  not  derive  al' 
the  advantage  of  its  numerical  superiority.  In  this 
position  we  prepared  to  receive  him.  Captain  Wash- 
ington's battery  (4th  artillery)  was  posted  to  com- 
mand the  road,  while  the  1st  and  2d  IHinois  regi- 
ments, under  Colonels  Hardin  and  Bissell,  each 
eight  companies  (to  the  latter  of  which  was  attached 


GENERAL       TAYLOR.  ISl 

Captain  Conner's  company  of  Texas  volunteers) 
and  the  2d  Kentucky,  under  Colonel  McKee,  occu- 
pied the  crests  of  the  ridges  on  the  left  and  in  rear. 
The  Arkansas  and  Kentucky  regiments  of  cavalry, 
commanded  by  Colonels  Yell  and  H.  Marshall, 
occupied  the  extreme  left  near  the  base  of  the 
mountain,  while  the  Indiana  brigade,  under  Briga- 
dier General  Lane  (composed  of  the  2d  and  ?d 
regiments,  under  Colonels  Bowles  and  Lane),  the 
Mississippi  riflemen,  under  Colonel  Davis,  the  squad- 
rons of  the  1st  and  2d  dragoons,  under  Captain 
Steen  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  May,  and  the  light 
batteries  of  Captains  Sherman  and  Bragg,  3d  ar- 
tillery, were  held  in  reserve. 

At  11  o'clock,  I  received  from  General  Santa 
Anna  a  summons  to  surrender  at  discretion,  which, 
with  a  copy  of  my  reply,  I  have  already  transmitted. 
The  enemy  still  forbore  his  attack,  evidently  wait- 
ing for  the  arrival  of  his  rear  coluums,  which  could 
be  distinctly  seen  by  our  look-outs  as  they  approached 
the  field.  A  demonstration  made  on  his  left  caused 
me  to  detach  the  2d  Kentucky  regiment  and  a  sec- 
tion of  artillery  to  our  right,  in  which  position  they 
biA'ouacked  for  the  night.  In  the  mean  time  the 
Mexican  light  troops  had  engaged  ours  on  the  ex- 
treme left  (composed  of  parts  of  the  Kentucky  antJ 


182  L  I  F  E      O  F 

Arkansas  cavalry  dismounted,  and  a  rifle  battalion 
from  the  Indiana  brigade,  under  Major  Gorman,  the 
whole  commanded  by  Colonel  Marshall),  and  kept 
up  a  sharp  fire,  cliujbing  the  mountain  si.le,  and 
apparently  endeavouring  to  gain  oui  flank.  Three 
pieces  of  Captain  Washington's  battery  had  been 
v^etached  to  the  left,  and  were  supported  by  the  2d 
Indiana  regiment.  An  occasional  shell  was  thrown 
by  the  enemy  into  this  part  of  our  line,  but  without 
efifect.  The  skirmishing  of  the  light  troops  was 
kept  up  with  trifling  loss  on  our  part  until  dark, 
when  I  became  convinced  that  no  serious  attack 
would  be  made  before  morning,  and  returned,  with 
the  Mississippi  regiment  and  squadron  of  2d  dra- 
goons, to  Saltillo.  The  troops  bivouacked  without 
fires,  and  laid  upon  their  arms.  A  body  of  cavalry, 
some  1500  strong,  had  been  visible  all  day  in  rear 
of  the  town,  having  entered  the  valley  through  a 
narrow  pass  east  of  the  city.  This  cavalry,  c<  m- 
nianded  by  General  Minon,  had  evidently  b^en 
thrown  in  our  rear  to  break  up  and  harass  our 
retreat,  pnd  perhaps  make  some  attempt  against  'he 
town  if  practicable.  The  city  was  occupied  by 
four  excellent  companies  of  Illinois  volunte-^rs, 
under  Major  Warren,  of  the  1st  regiment,  A  ficild- 
work,  ^vhich  commanded  most  of  the  approarbo.s 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  183 

was  garrisoned  by  Captain  Webster's  conipany,  1st 
artillery,  and  armed  with  two  24-pound  howitzers, 
while  the  train  and  head-quarter  camp  was  guarded 
by  two  companies  of  Mississippi  riflemen,  under 
Captain  Rogers,  and  a  field-piece  commanded  by 
Captain  Shover,  3d  artillery.  Having  made  these 
dispositions  tor  the  protection  of  the  rear,  I  pro- 
ceeded on  the  morning  of  the  23d  to  Buena  Vista, 
ordering  forward  all  the  other  available  troops. 
The  action  had  commenced  before  my  arrival  on 
•the  field.  » 

During  the  evening  and  night  of  the  22d  the 
enemy  had  thrown  a  body  of  light  troops  on  the 
mountain  side,  with  the  purpose  of  outflanking  our 
left;  and  it  was  here  that  the  action  of  the  23d 
commenced  at  an  early  hour.  Our  riflemen,  under 
Colonel  Marshall,  who  had  been  reinforced  by  three 
companies  under  Major  Trail,  2d  Illinois  volunteers, 
maintained  their  ground  handsomelv  against  a 
greatly  superior  force,  holding  themselves  under 
cover,  and  using  their  weapons  with  deadly  effect. 
About  eight  o'clock  a  strong  demonstration  was 
made  against  the  centre  of  our  position,  a  heavy 
colunuj  moving  along  the  road.  This  force  was 
soon  dispersed  by  a  few  rapid  and  well-directed 
shots  from  Cap  a  in  Washington's  battery.     In  the 


184  \.  I  F  E      O  F 

mean  time  the  enemy  was  concentrating  a  large 
force  of  infantry  and  cavalry  under  cover  of  the 
ridges,  with  the  ohvious  intention  of  forcing  our  left, 
which  was  posted  on  an  extensive  plateau.  The  2d 
Indiana  and  2d  Illinois  regiments  formed  this  pari 
of  our  Une,  the  former  covering  three  pieces  of  light 
artillery,  under  the  orders  of  Captain  O'Brien — 
Brigadier  General  Lane  being  in  the  immediate 
command.  In  order  to  bring  his  men  within  effect- 
ive range.  General  Lane  ordered  the  artillery  and  2d 
Indiana  regiment  forward.  The  artillery  advanced 
within  musket  range  of  a  heavy  body  of  Mexican 
mfantry,  and  was  served  against  it  with  great  effect, 
but  without  being  able  to  check  its  advance.  The 
infantry  ordered  to  its  support  had  fallen  back  in 
disorder,  being  exposed,  as  well  as  the  battery,  not 
only  to  a  severe  fire  of  small-arms  from  the  front, 
but  also  to  a  murderous  cross-fire  of  grape  and 
canister  from  a  Mexican  battery  on  the  left.  Captain 
O'Brien  found  it  impossible  to  retain  his  position 
without  support,  but  was  only  able  to  withdraw  two 
of  his  pieces,  all  the  horses  and  cannoneers  of  the 
third  piece  being  killed  or  disabled.  The  2d  Indiana 
regiment,  which  had  fallen  back  as  stated,  could 
not  be  rallied,  and  took  no  farther  part  in  the  action, 
except   a  handful  of   men,  who,  inder  its  gallant 


GENERAL      TAYLGR.  185 

colonel,  Bowles,  joined  the  Mississippi  regiment, 
and  did  ^ood  service,  and  those  fugitives  who,  at  a 
later  period  in  the  day,  assisted  in  defending  the 
train  and  depot  at  Buena  Vista.  This  portion  of 
our  line  having  given  way,  and  the  enemy  appearing 
in  overwhelming  force  against  our  left  flank,  the 
light  troops  which  had  rendered  such  good  service 
on  the  mountain  were  compelled  to  withdraw, 
which  they  did,  for  the  most  part,  in  good  order. 
Many,  however,  were  not  rallied  until  they  reached 
the  deput  at  Buena  Vista,  to  the  defence  of  which 
they  afterward  contributed. 

Colonel  Bissell's  regiment,  (2d  Illinois,)  which 
had  been  joined  by  a  section  of  Captain  Sherman's 
battery,  had  become  completely  outflanked,  and  was 
compelled  to  fall  back,  being  entirely  unsupported. 
The  enemy  was  now  pouring  masses  of  infantry 
and  cavalry  along  the  base  of  the  mountain  on  our 
left,  and  was  gaining  our  rear  in  great  force.  At 
this  moment  I  arrived  upon  the  field.  The  Missis- 
sippi regiment  had  been  directed  to  the  left  before 
reaching  the  position,  and  immediately  came  into 
action  against  the  Mexican  infantry  which  had 
turned  our  flank.  The  2d  Kentucky  regiment  and 
fi  section  of  artillery  under  Captain  Bragg,  had  pre- 
viously been  ordered  from  the  right  to  reinforce  oar 


18f)  LIFE     OF 

left,  and  arrived  at  a  most  opportune  moment.  That 
regiment,  and  a  portion  of  the  1st  IIHnois,  under 
Colonel  Harden,  gallantly  drove  the  enemy,  and  re- 
covered a  portion  of  the  ground  we  had  lost.  The 
batteries  of  Captains  Sherman  and  Bragg  were  in 
position  on  the  plateau,  and  did  much  execution, 
not  only  in  front,  but  particularly  upon  the  masses 
which  had  gained  our  rear.  Discovering  that  the 
enemy  was  heavily  pressing  upon  the  Mississippi 
regiment,  the  3d  Indiana  regiment,  under  Colonel 
Lane,  was  despatched  to  strengthen  that  part  of  our 
line,  which  formed  a  crotchet  perpendicular  to  the 
first  line  of  battle.  At  the  same  time  Lieutenant 
Kilhurn,  with  a  piece  of  Captain  Bragg's  battery, 
was  directed  to  support  the  infantry  there  engaged. 
The  action  was  for  a  long  time  warmly  sustajfied 
at  that  point — the  enemy  making  several  efforts 
both  with  infantry  and  cavalry  against  our  line,  and 
being  always  repulsed  with  heavy  loss.  I  had 
placed  all  the  regular  cavalry  and  Captain  Pike's 
squadron  of  Arkansas  horse  under  the  orders  of 
Brevet  Lieutenant  Colonel  May,  with  directions  to 
hold  in  check  the  enemy's  column,  still  advancing 
to  the  rear  along  the  base  of  the  mountain,  which 
was  done  in  conjunction  with  the  Kentucky  and 
Arkansas  cavalry  under  Colonels  Marshall  and  Yell 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  187 

In  the  mean  time  our  left,  which  was  still  strongl}' 
threatened  by  a  superior  force,  was  farther  strength- 
ened by  the  detachment  of  Captain  Bragg's  and  a 
portion  of  Captain  Sherman's  batteries  to  that  quar- 
ter. The  concentration  of  artillery  fire  upon  the 
masses  of  the  enemy  along  the  base  of  the  mountain, 
and  the  determined  resistance  offered  by  th  ^  two 
regiments  opposed  to  them,  had  created  confusion 
in  their  ranks,  and  some  of  the  corps  attempted  to 
effect  a  retreat  upon  their  main  line  of  battle.  The 
squadron  of  the  1st  dragoons,  under  Lieutenant 
Rucker,  was  now  ordered  up  the  deep  ravine  which 
these  retreating  corps  were  endeavouring  to  cross, 
in  order  to  charge  and  disperse  them.  The  squad- 
ron proceeded  to  the  point  indicated,  but  could  not 
accomplish  the  object,  being  exposed  to  a  heavy  fire 
from  a  battery  established  to  cover  the  retreat  of 
those  corps.  While  the  squadron  was  detached  on 
this  service,  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  was  observed 
to  concentrate  on  our  extreme  left,  apparently  with 
the  view  of  making  a  descent  upon  the  hacienda 
of  Buena  Vista,  where  our  train  and  bagg;age  weve 
deposited.  Lieutenant  Colonel  May  was  ordered 
o  the  support  of  that  point,  with  two  pieces  of 
Captain  Sherman's  battery  under  Lieutenant  Rey- 
nolds.    In  the  mean  time,  the  scattered  forces  neaf 


188  LIFE     OF 

the  hacienda,  composed  in  part  of  Majors  Trail  and 
Gorman's  commands,  had  been  to  some  extent  or- 
ganized under  the  advice  of  Major  Monroe,  chief 
of  artillery,  with  the  assistance  of  Major  Morrison, 
volunteer  staff,  and  were  posted  to  defend  the  posi- 
tion. Before  our  cavalry  had  reached  the  hacienda, 
that  of  the  enemy  had  made  its  attack;  having  been 
handsomely  met  by  the  Kentucky  and  Arkansas 
cavalry  under  Colonels  Marshall  and  Yell.  The 
Mexican  column  immediately  divided,  one  portion 
sweeping  by  the  depot,  where  it  received  a  destruc- 
tive fire  from  the  force  which  had  collected  there, 
and  then  gaining  the  mountain  opposite,  under  a 
fire  from  Lieutenant  Reynold's  section,  the  remain- 
ing portion  regaining  the  base  of  the  mountain  on 
our  left.  In  the  charge  at  Buena  Vista,  Colonel 
Yell  fell  gallantly  at  the  head  of  his  regiment;  we 
also  lost  Adjutant  Vaughan,  of  the  Kentucky  caval- 
ry— a  young  officer  of  much  promise.  Lieutenant 
Colonel  May,  who  had  been  rejoined  by  the  squad- 
ron of  the  1st  dragoons  and  by  portions  of  the  Ark- 
ansas and  Indiana  troops,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Roane  and  Major  Gorman,  now  approached  the 
base  of  the  mountain,  holding  in  check  the  right 
flank  of  the  enemy,  upon  whose  masses,  crowded 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  J89 

in  the  narrow  gorges  and  ravines,  our  artillery  was 
doins:  fearful  execution. 

The  position  of  that  portion  of  the  Mexican  army 
which  had  gained  our  rear  was  now  very  critical, 
and  it  seemed  doubtful  whether  it  could  regain  the 
main  body.  At  this  moment  I  received  from  Gen- 
eral Santa  Anna  a  message  by  a  staff  officer,  desiring 
to  know  what  I  wanted  1  I  immediately  despatched 
Brigadier  General  Wool  to  the  Mexican  general-in- 
chief,  and  sent  orders  to  cease  firing.  Upon  reach- 
ing the  Mexican  lines,  General  Wool  could  not 
cause  the  enemy  to  cease  their  fire,  and  accordingly 
returned  without  having  an  interview.  The  ex- 
treme right  of  the  enemy  continued  its  retreat  along 
the  base  of  the  mountain,  and  finally,  in  spite  of  all 
our  efforts,  effected  a  junction  with  the  remainder 
of  the  army. 

During  the  day,  the  cavalry  of  General  Minon 
had  ascended  the  elevated  plain  above  Saltillo,  and 
occupied  the  road  from  the  city  to  the  field  of  battle, 
where  they  intercepted  several  of  our  men.  Ap- 
proaching the  town,  they  were  fired  upon  by  Cap- 
tain Webster  from  the  redoubt  occupied  by  his 
company,  and  then  moved  off  towards  the  eastern 
side  of  the  valley,  and  obliquely  towards  Buena 
Vista.    At  this  time,  Captain  Shover  moved  rapidly 


190  LIFE     OF 

forward  with  his  piece,  supported  by  a  iniseehaneous 
command  of  mounted  volunteers,  and  fired  several 
shots  at  the  cavah-y  with  great  effect.  They  were 
driven  into  the  ravines  which  lead  to  the  lower  val- 
ley, closely  pursued  by  Captain  Shover,  who  was 
farther  supported  by  a  piece  of  Captain  Webster's 
battery,  under  Lieutenant  Donaldson,  which  had 
advanced  from  the  redoubt,  supported  by  Captain 
Wheeler's  company  of  Illinois  volunteers.  The 
enemy  made  one  or  two  efforts  to  charge  the  artil- 
lery, but  was  finally  driven  back  in  a  confused  mass, 
and  did  not  again  appear  upon  the  plain. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  firing  had  partially  ceased 
upon  the  principal  field.  The  enemy  seemed  to 
confine  his  efforts  to  the  protection  of  his  artillery, 
and  I  had  left  the  plateau  for  a  moment,  when  I 
was  recalled  thither  by  a  very  heavy  musketry  fire. 
On  regaining  that  position,  I  discovered  that  our 
infantry  (Illinois  and  2d  Kentucky)  had  engaged  a 
greatly  superior  force  of  the  enemy — evidently  his 
reserve  —  and  that  they  had  been  overwhelmed  by 
numbers.  The  moment  was  most  critical.  Captain 
O'Brien,  with  two  pieces,  had  sustained  lliis  heavy 
charge  to  the  last,  and  was  finally  obliged  to  leave 
bis  guns  on  the  field  —  his  infantry  support  being 
entirely  routed.     Captain  Bragg,  who  had  just  ar- 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  L91 

rived  from  the  left,  was  ordered  at  once  into  battery. 
Without  any  infantry  to  support  him,  and  at  the 
imminent  risk  of  losing  his  guns,  this  officer  came 
rapidly  into  action,  the  Mexican  line  being  but  a 
few  yards  from  the  muzzle  of  his  pieces.  The  first 
discharge  of  canister  caused  the  enemy  to  hesitate, 
the  second  and  third  drove  him  back  in  disorder. 
and  saved  the  day.  The  2d  Kentucky  regiment, 
which  had  advanced  beyond  supporting  distance  in 
this  affair,  was  driven  back  and  closely  pressed  by 
the  enemy's  cavalry.  Taking  a  ravine  which  led 
in  the  direction  of  Captain  Washington's  battery, 
their  pursuers  became  exposed  to  his  fire,  which 
soon  checked  and  drove  them  back  with  loss.  In 
the  mean  time  the  rest  of  our  artillery  had  taken 
position  on  the  plateau,  covered  by  the  Mississippi 
and  3d  Indiaiia  regiments,  the  former  of  which  had 
reached  the  ground  in  time  to  ponr  a  fire  into  the 
right  flank  of  the  enemy,  and  thus  contribute  to  his 
repulse.  In  this  last  conflict  we  had  the  misfortune 
to  sustain  a  very  heavy  loss.  Colonel  Hardin,  Is! 
Illinois,  and  Colonel  McKee  and  Lieutenant  Colo- 
nel Clay,  2d  Kentucky  regiment,  fell  at  this  time 
while  gallantly  leading  their  commands. 

No  farther  attempt  was  made  by  the  enemy  to 
torce  our  position,  and  the  approach  of  night  gave 


192  LIFE      OF 

an  opportunity  to  pay  proper  attention  to  the 
wounded,  and  also  to  refresh  the  soldiers,  who  had 
been  exhausted  by  incessant  watchfulness  and  com- 
bat. Though  the  night  was  severely  cold,  the 
troops  were  compelled  for  the  most  to  bivouac  with- 
out fires,  expecting  that  morning  would  renew  the 
conflict.  During  the  night  the  wounded  were  re- 
moved to  Saltillo,  and  every  preparation  made  to 
receive  the  enemy,  should  he  again  attack  our  posi- 
tion. Seven  fresh  companies  were  drawn  from  the 
town,  and  Brigadier  General  Marshall,  with  a  re- 
inforcement of  Kentucky  cavalry  and  four  heavy 
guns,  under  Captain  Prentiss,  1st  artillery,  was  near 
at  hand,  when  it  was  discovered  that  the  enemy 
had  abandoned  his  position  during  the  night.  Our 
scouts  soon  ascertained  that  he  had  fallen  ba^k 
upon  Agua  Nuevi.  The  great  disparity  of  num- 
'"ers,  and  the  exhaustion  of  our  troops,  rendered  it 
inexpedient  and  hazardous  to  attempt  pursuit.  A 
staff  officer  was  despatched  to  General  Santa  Anna 
to  negotiate  an  exchange  of  prisoners,  which  was 
satisfactorily  completed  on  the  following  day.  Our 
cwn  dead  were  collected  and  buried,  and  the  Mexi- 
can wounded,  of  which  a  large  number  had  been 
left  upon  the  field,  were  removed  to  Saltillo,  and 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  193 

rendered    as   comfortable   as   circumstances  would 
permit. 

On  the  evening  of  the  26th,  a  close  recon- 
noissance  was  made  of  the  enemy's  position,  which 
was  found  to  be  occupied  only  by  a  small  body  of 
cavalry,  the  infantry  and  artillery  having  retreated 
in  the  direction  of  San  Luis  Potosi.  On  the  27th, 
our  troops  resumed  their  former  camp  at  Agua 
Nueva,  the  enemy's  rear-guard  evacuating  the  place 
as  we  approached,  leaving  a  considerable  number 
of  wounded.  It  was  my  purpose  to  beat  up  his 
quarters  at  Encarnacion  early  the  next  morning,  but 
upon  examination,  the  weak  condition  of  the  cavalry 
horses  rendered  it  unadvisable  to  attempt  so  long  a 
march  without  water.  A  command  was  finally  des- 
patched to  Encarnacion,  on  the  1st  of  March,  under 
Colonel  Belknap.  Some  two  hundred  wounded, 
and  about  sixty  Mexican  soldiers  were  found  there 
the  army  having  passed  on  in  the  direction  of  Mate- 
huala,  with  greatly  reduced  numbers,  and  suffering 
much  from  hunger.  The  dead  and  dying  were 
strewed  upon  the  road  and  crowded  the  buildings 
of  the  hacienda. 

The  American   force  engaged  in  the  action  of 
Buena  Vista  is  shown,  by  the  accompanying  field 
report,  to  have  been  334  officers,  and  4425  men,  ex- 
9  N 


194  L  I  F  E      O  F 

elusive  of  the  small  command  left  in  and  nea*  Sal- 
tillo.  Of  this  number,  two  squadrons  of  cavalry  and 
three  batteries  of  light  artillery,  making  not  more 
than  453  men,  composed  the  only  force  of  regular 
troops.  The  strength  of  the  Mexican  army  is  stated 
by  General  Santa  Anna,  in  his  summons,  to  be 
20,000  ;  and  that  estimate  is  confirmed  by  all  the  in- 
formation since  obtained.  Our  loss  is  267  killed,  456 
wounded,  and  23  missing.  Of  the  numerous  wound- 
ed, many  did  not  require  removal  to  the  hospital, 
and  it  is  hoped  that  a  comparatively  small  number 
will  be  permanently  disabled.  The  Mexican  loss 
in  killed  and  wounded  may  be  fairly  estimated  at 
1500,  and  will  probably  reach  2000.  At  least  500 
of  their  killed  were  left  upon  the  field  of  battle. 
We  have  no  means  of  ascertaining  the  number  of 
deserters  and  dispersed  men  from  their  ranks,  but  it 
is  known  to  be  very  great. 

Our  loss  has  been  especially  severe  in  officers, 
twenty-eight  having  been  killed  upon  the  field.  We 
have  to  lament  the  death  of  Captain  George  Lin- 
coln, Assistant  Adjutant  General,  serving  in  the  staff 
of  General  Wool — a  young  officer  of  high  bearing 
and  approved  gallantry,  who  feU  early  in  the  action 
No  loss  falls  more  heavily  upon  the  army  in  the 
field  than  that  of  Colonels  Hardin  and  McKee,  and 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  195 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Clay.  Possessing  in  a  remark- 
able degree  the  confidence  of  their  commands,  and 
the  last  two  having  enjoyed  the  advantage  of  a  mili- 
tary education,  I  had  looked  particularly  to  them  for 
support  in  case  we  met  the  enemy.  I  need  not  say 
that  their  zeal  in  engaging  the  enemy,  and  the  cool 
and  steadfast  courage  with  which  they  maintained 
their  positions  during  the  day,  fully  realized  my 
hopes,  and  caused  me  to  feel  yet  more  sensibly  their 
untimely  loss. 

I  perform  a  grateful  duty  in  bringing  to  the  notice 
of  the  government  the  general  good  conduct  of  the 
troops.  Exposed  for  successive  nights,  without 
fires,  to  the  severity  of  the  weather,  they  were  ever 
prompt  and  cheerful  in  the  discharge  of  every  duty; 
and  finally  displayed  conspicuous  steadiness  and 
gallantry  in  repulsing,  at  great  odds,  a  disciplined 
foe.  While  the  brilliant  success  achieved  by  their 
arms  releases  me  from  the  painful  necessity  of  spe- 
cifying many  cases  of  bad  conduct  before  the  enemy, 
I  feel  an  increased  obligation  to  mention  particular 
corps  and  officers,  whose  skill,  coolness,  and  gal- 
lantry in  trying  situations,  and  under  a  continued 
and  heavy  fire,  seem  to  merit  particular  notice. 

T:  Brigadier  General  Wool  my  obligations  are 
especially  due.     The  high  state  of  discipline  and 


196  L  I  F  E      O  F 

instruction  of  several  of  the  volunteer  regiments  was 
attained  under  his  command,  and  to  his  vigilance 
and  arduous  service  before  the  action,  and  his  gal- 
lantry and  activity  on  the  field,  a  large  share  of  onr 
success  may  justly  be  attributed.  During  most  of 
the  engagement  he  was  in  immediate  command  of 
the  troops  thrown  back  on  our  left  flank.  I  beg 
leave  to  recommend  him  to  the  favourable  notice 
of  the  government.  Brigadier  General  Lane 
(slightly  wounded)  was  active  and  zealous  through- 
out the  day,  and  displayed  great  coolness  and  gal- 
lantry before  the  enemy. 

The  services  of  the  light  artillery,  always  conspi- 
cuous, were  more  than  usually  distinguished.  Moving 
rapidly  over  the  roughest  ground,  it  was  always  in 
action  at  the  right  place  and  the  right  time,  and  its 
well-directed  fire  dealt  destruction  in  the  masses  ot 
the  enemy.  While  I  recommend  to  particular 
favour  the  gcillant  conduct  and  valuable  services  of 
Major  Munroe,  chief  of  artillery,  and  Captains 
Washington,  4th  artillery,  and  Sherman  and  Bragg, 
3d  artillery,  commanding  batteries,  I  deem  it  no 
more  than  just  to  mention  all  the  subaltern  officers. 
They  were  nearly  all  detached  at  different  times, 
and  in  every  situation  exhibited  conspicuous  skill 
and  gallantry.    Captain  O'Brien,  Lieutenants  Brent, 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  J  97 

Whiting,  and  Couch,  4th  artillery,  and  Bryan, 
Topographical  Engineers,  (sUghtlj  wouuded,)  were 
attached  to  Captain  Washington's  battery.  Lieu- 
tenants Thomas,  Reynolds,  and  French,  3d  ariil- 
lery,  (severely  wounded,)  to  that  of  Captain  Sher- 
man ;  and  Captain  Shover  and  Lieutenant  Kilburn, 
3d  artillery,  to  that  of  Captain  Bragg.  Captain 
Shover,  in  conjunction  with  Lieutenant  Donaldson, 
1st  artillery,  rendered  gallant  and  important  service 
in  repulsing  the  cavalry  of  General  Minon.  The 
regular  cavalry,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  May, 
with  which  was  associated  Captain  Pike's  squadron 
of  Arkansas  horse,  rendered  useful  service  in  holding 
the  enemy  in  check  and  in  covering  the  batteries  at 
several  points.  Captain  Steen,  1st  dragoons,  was 
severely  wounded  early  in  the  day,  while  gallantly 
endeavouring,  with  my  authority,  to  rally  the  troops 
which  were  falling  to  the  rear. 

The  Mississippi  riflemen,  under  Colonel  Davis, 
were  highly  conspicuous  for  their  gallantry  and 
steadiness,  and  sustained  throughout  the  engage- 
ment the  reputation  of  veteran  troops.  Brought 
into  action  against  an  immensely  superior  force, 
they  maintained  themselves  for  a  long  time  unsup- 
ported and  with  heavy  loss,  and  held  an  important 
part   .>f  the  field  until  reinforced.     Colonel  Davis^ 


J  9S  L  I  F  E      O  P 

though  severely  wounded,  remained  in  the  saddle 
until  the  close  of  the  action.  His  distinguished 
coolness  and  gallantry  at  the  head  of  his  regiment 
on  this  day  entitle  him  to  the  particular  notice  of 
the  government.  The  3d  Indiana  regiment,  under 
Colonel  Lane,  and  a  fragment  of  the  2d,  under 
Colonel  Bowles,  were  associated  with  the  Missis- 
sippi regiment  during  the  greater  portion  of  the 
day,  and  acquitted  themselves  creditably  in  repuls- 
ing the  attempts  of  the  enemy  to  break  that  por- 
tion of  our  line.  The  Kentucky  cavalry,  under 
Colonel  Marshall,  rendered  good  service  dismounted, 
acting  as  light  troops  on  our  left,  and  afterward, 
with  a  portion  of  the  Arkansas  regiment,  in  meet- 
ing and  dispersing  the  column  of  cavalry  at  Buena 
Vista.  The  1st  and  2d  Illinois,  and  the  2d  Ken- 
tucky regiments,  served  immediately  under  my  eye, 
and  I  bear  a  willing  testimony  to  their  excellent 
conduct  throughout  the  day.  The  spirit  and  gal- 
lantry with  which  the  1st  Illinois  and  2d  Kentucky 
engaged  the  enemy  in  the  morning,  restored  con- 
fidence to  that  part  of  the  field,  while  the  list  of 
casualties  will  show  how  much  these  three  regi- 
ments suffered  in  sustaining  the  heavy  charge  of 
the  enemy  in  the  afternoon.  Captain  Conner's 
company  of  Texas  volunteers,  attached  to  the  2d 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  19'i) 

niinois  regiment,  fought  bravely,  its  captain  being 
wounded  and  two  subalterns  killed.  Colonel  Bis- 
sell,  the  only  surviving  colonel  of  these  regiments, 
merits  notice  for  his  coolness  and  bravery  on  this 
occasion.  After  the  fall  of  the  field-officers  of  the 
1st  Illinois  and  2d  Kentucky  regiments,  the  com- 
mand of  the  former  devolved  upon  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Weatherford  ;  that  of  the  latter  upon 
Major  Fry. 

Regimental  commanders  and  others  who  have 
rendered  reports,  speak  in  general  terms  of  the  good 
conduct  of  their  officers  and  men,  and  have  spe- 
cified many  names,  but  the  limits  of  this  report 
forbid  a  recapitulation  of  them  here.  I  may,  how- 
ever, mention  Lieutenants  Rucker  and  Campbell 
of  the  dragoons,  and  Captain  Pike,  Arkansas  cavalry, 
commanding  squadrons  ;  Lieutenant  Colonel  Field, 
Kentucky  cavalry ;  Lieutenant  Colonel  Roane, 
Arkansas  cavalry,  upon  whom  the  command  devolved 
after  the  fall  of  Colonel  Yell ;  Major  Bradford,  Cap- 
tain Sharpe  (severely  wounded),  and  Adjutant 
Griffith,  Mississippi  regiment ;  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Hadden,  2d  Indiana  regiment,  and  Lieutenant 
Robinson,  aid-de-camp  to  General  Lane ;  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Weatherford,  1st  Illinois  regiment ; 
Lieutenant    Colonel    Morrison,  Major    Trail,   anti 


200  LIFE      OF 

Adjutant  Whiteside  (severely  wounded),  2d  Illinois 
regiment ;  and  Major  Fry,  2d  Kentucky  regiment, 
as  being  favourably  noticed  for  gallantry  and  good 
conduct.  Major  McCulloch,  quartermaster  in  the 
volunteer  service,  rendered  important  services  before 
the  engagement,  in  the  command  of  a  spy  company, 
and  during  the  affair  was  associated  with  the  regu- 
lar cavalry.  To  Major  Warren,  1st  Illinois  volun- 
teers, I  feel  much  indebted  for  his  firm  and  judicious 
course,  while  exercising  command  in  the  city  of 
Saltillo. 

The  medical  staff,  under  the  able  direction  of 
Assistant-Surgeon  Hitchcock,  were  assiduous  in  at- 
tention to  the  wounded  upon  the  field,  and  in  their 
careful  removal  to  the  rear.  Both  in  these  respects, 
and  in  the  subsequent  organization  and  service  of 
the  hospitals,  the  administration  of  this  department 
was  everything  that  could  be  wished. 

Brigadier  General  Wool  speaks  in  high  terms  of 
the  officers  of  his  staff,  and  I  take  pleasure  in  men- 
tioning them  here,  having  witnessed  their  activity 
and  zeal  upon  the  field.  Lieutenant  and  Aid-de- 
camp McDowell,  Colonel  Churchill,  inspector-gen- 
eral, Captain  Chapman,  assistant  quartermaster, 
Lieutenant  Sitgreaves,  Topographical  Engineers, 
and  Captains  Howard  and  Davis,  volunteer  service, 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  20l 

are  conspicuously  noticed  by  the  general  for  theii 
gallantry  and  good  conduct.  Messrs.  March,  Ad- 
dicks,  Potts,  Harrison,  Burgess,  and  Dusenbery, 
attached  in  various  capacities  to  General  Wool's 
head-quarters,  are  likewise  mentioned  for  their  in- 
telligent alacrity  in  conveying  orders  to  all  parts  of 
the  field. 

In  conclusion,  I  beg  leave  to  speak  of  my  own 
staff,  to  whose  exertions  in  rallying  troops  and  com- 
municating orders  I  feel  greatly  indebted.  Major 
Bliss,  assistant  adjutant  general,  Captain  J.  H.  Eaton, 
and  Lieutenant  R.  S.  Garnett,  aids-de-camp,  served 
near  my  person,  and  were  prompt  and  zealous  in 
the  discharge  of  every  duty.  Major  Munroe,  beside 
rendering  valuable  service  as  chief  of  artillery,  was 
active  and  instrumental,  as  were  also  Colonels 
Churchill  and  Belknap,  inspectors-general,  in  rally- 
ing troops  and  disposing  them  for  the  defence  of  the 
tram  and  baggage.  Colonel  Whiting,  quartermaster 
general,  and  Captain  Eaton,  chief  of  the  subsistence 
department,  were  engaged  with  the  duties  of  their 
departments,  and  also  served  in  my  immediate  staff 
on  the  field.  Captain  Sibley,  assistant  quartermas- 
ter, was  necessarily  left  with  the  head-quarter  camp 
near  town,  where  his  services  were  highly  useftd. 
Major  Mausfield  and  Lieutenant  Benham,  Engineers, 
9* 


202  LIFE     OF 

and  Captain  Linnard  and  Lieutenants  Pope  and 
Franklin,  Topographical  Engineers,  were  employed 
before  and  during  the  engagement  in  making  recon- 
noissances,  and  on  the  field  were  very  active  in 
bringing  information  and  in  conveying  my  orders  to 
distant  points.  Lieutenant  Kingsbury,  in  addition 
to  his  proper  duties  as  ordnance  officer,  Captain 
Chilton,  assistant  quartermaster,  and  Majors  Dix 
and  Coffee,  served  also  as  extra  aids-de-camp,  and 
were  actively  employed  in  the  transmission  of  orders. 
Mr,  Thomas  L.  Crittenden,  of  Kentucky,  though 
not  in  service,  volunteered  as  my  aid-de-camp  on 
this  occasion,  and  served  with  credit  in  that  capa- 
city. Major  Craig,  chief  of  ordnance,  and  Surgeon 
Craig,  medical  director,  had  been  detached  on  duty 
from  head-quarters,  and  did  not  reach  the  ground 
until  the  morning  of  the  24th — too  late  to  partici- 
pate in  the  action,  but  in  time  to  render  useful  ser- 
vices in  their  respective  departments  of  the  staff. 

I  respectfully  enclose  returns  of  the  troops  en- 
gaged, and  of  casualties  incident  to  the  battle. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

Z.  TAYLOR, 

Major  General  U.  S.  A,  Commanding. 
The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army,") 
Wesh'ngton,  D.  C.      j 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  203 


CHAPTER    XV. 

Santa  Anna's  Summons  and  General  Taylor's  Reply — Flags  of  Truce 
— General  Taylor's  Indifference  to  Danger — His  plan  of  the  Engage- 
ment— Anecdote — His  reception  of  the  news  of  his  Nomination  to 
the  Presidency — Conclusion. 


N  General  Taylor's  despatch  he  refers 
to  a  summons  from  Santa  Anna,  to 
"  surrender  at  discretion."  This  sum- 
mons and  the  reply  we  subjoin.  The 
]  first  is  valuable  as  asserting  the  number  of 
troops  which  the  Mexican  general  had  at 
his  command,  a  statement  corroborated  by 
other  circumstances,  and  the  acknowledg- 
ments of  prisoners  and  deserters.  The  reply  of 
General  Taylor  is  a  model  for  its  calm  courage  and 
dignified  tone ;  and  as  such  has  been  universally 
admired.  It  may  indeed  be  pronounced  unequalled. 
The  summons  of  Santa  Anna  was  couched  in  the 
following  terms : 

"  You  are  surrounded  by  20,000  men,  and  can- 
not, in  any  human  probability,  avoid  suffering  a 
rout,  and  being  cut  to  pieces  with  your  troops;   b'll 


204  LIFE     OF 

as  you  deserve  consideration  and  particular  esteem, 
1  wish  to  save  you  from  a  catastrophe,  and  for  that 
purpose  give  you  this  notice,  in  order  that  you  may 
surrender  at  discretion,  under  the  assurance  that 
you  will  be  treated  with  the  consideration  belonging 
to  the  Mexican  character,  to  which  end  you  w^ill  be 
granted  an  hour's  time  to  make  up  your  mind,  to 
commence  from  the  moment  when  my  flag  of  truce 
arrives  in  your  camp.  With  this  view,  I  assure  you 
of  my  particular  consideration. 

"  God  and  Liberty.  Camp  at  Encantada,  Feb- 
raary  22d,  1847. 

"Antonio  Lopez  de  Santa  Anna." 

To  this  summons  the  reply  of  General  Taylor 
was  as  follows : 

"  Sir  :  In  reply  to  your  note  of  this  date,  sum- 
moning me  to  surrender  my  forces  at  discretion,  I 
beg  leave  to  say  that  I  decline  acceding  to  your 
request.  With  high  respect,  I  am,  sir, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

Z.  Taylor, 

Major  General  U.  S.  ^.,  Commanding. 

Two  other  white  flags  passed  during  the  battle. 
In  General  Taylor's  report,  by  referring  to  page 
1S9  of  this  book  it  will  be  perceived  that  General 


GENERAL      TAYLOR.  205 

Taj'lor  passes  over  this  occiuTence  with  a  mag- 
nanimity which  makes  him  do  more  tiian  justice 
even  to  an  enemy.  A  portion  of  the  Mexicans 
were,  indeed,  in  a  critical  situation.  Nothing  but 
respect  to  the  flag  on  the  part  of  the  Americans, — 
a  respect  which  was  not  shown  by  the  Mexicans, 
enabled  the  separated  detachment  of  Santa  Anna's 
force  to  rejoin  the  main  body.  It  was  a  ruse  to 
gain  time  ;  and  was  accompanied  by  treachery  most 
reprehensible.  General  Taylor  does  not  state  what 
reply  he  instructed  General  Wool  to  make.  Ano- 
ther account  says  that  General  Taylor  replied  that 
he  wanted  peace.  Major  Coffee,  the  bearer  of 
General  Taylor's  despatches,  gives  a  very  animated 
account  of  this  interview.  The  American  com- 
mander was  sitting  quietly  on  his  white  charger 
watching  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  when  the 
Mexican  officer  was  presented,  and  in  a  very  cour- 
teous and  graceful  manner  stated  that  "  he  had  been 
sent  by  his  excellency  General  Santa  Anna  to  in- 
quire what  he  (General  Taylor)  was  waiting  for  T' 
Major  Coffee  says  that  General  Taylor  gave  *^he 
very  significant  reply  "  only  for  General  Santa  Anna 
to  surrender."  In  this  engagement  General  Taylor 
was  frequently  expostulated  with  by  his  staff,  for 
exposing  himself;  and  his  horse  was  objected  to,  oa 


206  LIFE      OF 

account  of  his  colour  (white)  as  affordiug  too  cou- 
spicuous  a  mark  for  the  enemy.  But  the  General 
refused  to  change  his  charger — alleging  that  as  the 
horse  had  missed  Monterey,  he  was  resolved  that  he 
should  have  his  full  share  at  Buena  Vista.  At 
Monterey  it  is  related,  there  was  a  bridge  to  pass, 
which  was  so  raked  by  the  enemy's  fire  that  the 
horsemen  dashed  over  one  at  a  time.  General 
Taylor,  when  he  reached  the  centre,  was  struck  by 
some  movement  at  a  distance,  the  motive  or  par- 
ticulars of  which  he  desired  to  discover.  Pro- 
ducing his  glass,  he  took  a  deliberate  survey,  while 
those  who  followed,  and  were  compelled  by  his 
exposure  to  remain  in  danger  themselves,  did  any- 
thing but  admire  his  indifference  to  the  enemy's 
fire.  Such  a  callousness  to  danger  is  better  than 
too  great  caution,  certainly ;  and  General  Taylor 
must  be  admitted  to  be  the  best  judge  how  far  it 
is  expedient  to  impart  courage  to  others  by  his 
example. 

The  other  flag  sent  on  the  22d  was  despatched 
by  General  Taylor  to  a  detached  body  of  Mexican 
infantry,  who  were  contending,  with  fierce  reso- 
lution, against  a  destructive  fire.  The  officer  by 
whom  it  was  sent,  Mr.  Crittenden,  who  acted  as 
General  Taylor's  Aid,  was  carried,  in  spite  of  his 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  207 

remonstrances,  to  Santa  Anna,  blind-folded.  Tiie 
Mexican  general  asked  his  mission.  He  replied 
that  he  had  no  message  for  the  commander,  but 
that  he  was  sent  to  ask  a  detached  force  to  sur- 
render, to  save  the  effusion  of  blood,  and  as  his 
errand  was  unsuccessful,  he  demanded  to  be  sent 
back  to  his  general.  It  was  then  that  Santa  Anna 
requested  him  to  tell  General  Taylor  that  if  he 
would  surrender  he  would  be  protected  and  well 
cared  for.  Mr.  Crittenden  replied  that  he  had  no 
commission  to  speak  with  him  (Santa  Anna)  upon 
that  or  any  other  matter.  "  It  is,  however,"  he  added, 
"  of  no  use  to  send  any  such  message,  as  General 
Taylor  never  surrenders^ 

This  sentence  has  passed  into  a  motto.  Another, 
the  expression  of  General  Taylor  himself,  is  scarcely 
less  famous.  The  artillery  was  in  this  engagement, 
from  the  celerity  and  skill  with  which  it  was  han- 
dled, the  salvation  of  the  day  more  than  once ;  the 
Americans  may  indeed  be  said  to  have  been  on  the 
ve^-ge  of  defeat  three  times.  On  one  of  these  occa- 
sions when  the  crisis  appeared  most  imminent, 
General  Taylor  rode  up  behind  the  gallant  men, 
who  were  working  for  life,  against  fearful  odds. 
"  A  little  more  grape,  Captain  Bragg !"  said  the 
General,  in  as  calm  a  voice  as  if  he  were  making 


'208  LIFE     OF 

an  indifferent  suggestion.  Tlie  cool  and  collected 
manner  of  the  commander  put  new  life  into  the 
men  —  and  a  little  more  grape,  gallantly  served, 
turned  the  scale,  and  the  Mexicans  were  driven 
back. 

The  history  of  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista  is  full 
o'  instances  of  most  daring  and  gallant  conduct.  It 
is  to  be  remembered  also  that  the  4000  troops  who 
engaged  the  Mexican  20,000  were  not  veterans  — 
but,  with  the  exception  of  some  five  hundred,  were 
volunteers.  Nor  were  they  the  men  who  had  been 
with  Taylor  in  his  previous  victories.  A  small 
portion  only  of  them  were  the  heroes  of  Monterey; 
and  the  rest  faced  an  enemy  for  the  first  time.  The 
arrangements  made  by  Taylor  gave  his  force  the 
advantage  of  position.  Had  he  fallen  back  on 
Monterey,  as  recommended,  he  would  there  with 
his  small  force  have  been  shut  up,  and  could  not 
but  have  lost  ail  the  advantages  which  the  taking 
of  that  place  conferred.  But  by  maintaining  his 
positions  in  advance,  receding  from  Agua  Nueva 
where  his  flanks  could  be  turned,  and  making  a 
stand  at  Buena  Vista  where  the  nature  of  the 
ground  gave  him  protection,  he  made  all  the  fierce 
courage  of  his  men,  and  their  abiding  resolution, 
available.    In  his  account  of  the  battle,  Santa  Anoa 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  209 

aduxlts  that  "  by  this  movement  his  first  plans  and 
dispositions,  founded  on  an  expected  resistance, 
(at  Agua  Nueva,)  were  rendered  abortive."  The 
military  skill  of  General  Taylor  was  shown  in  his 
general  plan  •—  the  courage  and  patient  endurance 
of  commander  and  of  troops  crowned  the  effort 
with  victory,  after  the  day  seemed  three  times  to 
have  been  lost.  The  Mexicans  were  even  more 
advantageously  posted  in  the  battle  ot  Kesaca  de  la 
Palma,  and  had  beside  an  enormous  disparity  of 
force      Yet  how  different  the  result ! 

From  the  nature  of  the  ground,  the  battle  ap- 
peared to  be  not  one  engagement,  but  a  series  of 
detached  encounters.  Now  the  superiority  of  force 
was  with  a  party  of  Americans,  and  now  with  a 
detachment  of  Mexicans.  With  what  absorbing 
interest  must  the  commander  have  watched  the 
movements  on  various  parts  of  the  field,  as  he  des- 
patched, now  in  one  direction  and  now  in  another, 
orders  or  reinforcements,  thus,  by  the  operations  of 
a  controlling  mind,  giving  unity  to  efforts  which 
appeared  divided  and  partial,  while  they  were  in 
reality  working  out  one  great  whole  !  At  one  time 
the  2d  Kentuck}-  regiment,  which  had  been  ordered 
to  support  a  column  hard  pressed  by  the  enemy, 
were    obliged   to  cross  a  ravine,  and  in  avoiding 

o 


210  L  I  F  E     O  F 

gulleys  and  obstructions,  presented  at  a  distance 
all  the  appearance  of  confusion  and  disorder 
"This  will  not  do,"  said  Taylor,  who  was  watch- 
ing the  field  intently,  "  this  is  not  the  way  for  Ken- 
tuckians  to  behave  themselves !"  Mr.  Crittenden, 
to  whom  the  remark  was  addressed,  could  make 
no  reply  for  mortification  ;  and  both  Taylor  and 
Crittenden  trembled  for  the  honour  of  their  state. 

But  in  a  few  moments  the  Kentuckians  had 
crossed  the  uneven  places,  and  were  seen  ascending 
the  slope  of  the  valley,  shoulder  to  shoulder,  and 
with  the  firm  and  regular  step  of  veterans  of  a  hun- 
dred fields.  On  they  moved  until  they  reached  the 
crest  of  the  hill,  where  they  met  the  enemy  before 
the  flush  of  a  temporary  advantage  had  subsided. 
Here  they  del.vered  their  fire  with  such  regularity 
and  deadly  aim  that  the  decimated  piialanx  of 
Mexico  gave  way  and  retreated  precipitately.  As 
the  Kentuckians  emerged  from  the  valley,  the  coun- 
tenance of  the  old  general,  who  was  regarding  them 
with  the  intensest  interest,  gradually  relaxed  the  bit- 
terness of  its  expression.  A  glow  of  pride  supplanted 
the  deep  mortification  which  fixed  its  muscles,  and 
enthusiasm  qualified  the  fierce  glance  of  his  eye. 
Forward  they  moved  under  his  riveted  gaze,  whose 
feelings  became  more  and  more  wrought  up  as  they 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  211 

approached  the  scene  of  carnage.  When  thej' 
opened  their  fire,  the  old  general  could  no  longer 
restrain  his  admiration,  but  broke  forth  with  a  loud 
huzza — "  Hurrah  for  old  Kentucky  !" 

But  our  limits  warn  us  to  a  conclusion.  We 
would  proudly  bear  particular  testimony  to  the  cou- 
rao^e  of  the  brave  wdio  foug'iit  and  fell — but  are  for- 
bidden  by  want  of  space,  and  not  of  inclination.  In 
the  language  of  General  Taylor,  addressed  to  Henry 
Clay  upon  the  death  of  his  son,  "  A  grateful  people 
will  do  justice  to  the  memory  of  those  who  fought 
and  fell  on  that  eventful  day ;"  and  like  the  kind- 
hearted  veteran,  we  may  truly  say  that  in  view  of 
the  loss  of  our  countrymen  we  feel  no  exultation  in 
a  victory  so  dearly  purchased. 

The  eyes  of  a  nation  w^ere  now  turned  upon 
Zachary  Taylor.  In  every  place  the  name  of  tlie 
general  became  a  political  rallying  cry,  and  all  men 
and  all  parties  vied  in  doing  him  honour.  The 
subject  of  so  much  remark  and  just  eulogy,  and  the 
nominee  of  individuals,  cities  and  parties  for  the 
Presidency,  he  could  not  of  course  have  failed  to 
hear  what  had  been  so  widely  uttered.  In  relation 
to  it,  his  answers,  written  and  verbal,  were  always 
made  in  the  spirit  of  the  following  answer  to  a  friend 
at  Saltillo  ;   "  Captain,  I  am  not  ambitious  of  any 


212  L  I  F  E     O  F 

civil  appointment.  It  will  be  my  aim  to  whip  these 
Mexicans,  and  bring  this  war  to  an  honourable  con- 
clusion, after  which  I  expect  to  resign  my  commis- 
sion, and  retire  to  my  farm." 

We  close  our  notice  of  Buena  Vista  with  the  fol- 
lowing extract  from  a  letter  written  by  a  distinguish 
3d  officer : 

"  At  a  time  when  the  fortunes  of  the  day  seemed 
extremely  problematical — when  many  on  our  side 
even  despaired  of  success — old  Rough  and  Ready, 
as  he  is  not  inaptly  styled,  whom  you  must  know, 
by  the  by,  is  short,  fat  and  dumpy  in  person,  with 
remarkably  short  legs,  took  his  position  on  a  com- 
manding height,  overlooking  the  two  armies.  This 
was  about  three,  or  perhaps  four  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon.  The  enemy,  who  had  succeeded  in 
gaining  an  advantageous  position,  made  a  fierce 
charge  upon  our  column,  and  fought  with  a  despera- 
tion that  seemed  for  a  time  to  ensure  success  to  their 
arms.  The  stru^crle  lasted  for  some  time.  All 
the  while,  General  Taylor  was  a  silent  spectator, 
his  countenance  exhibitino-  the  most  anxious  solici- 

o 

tude,  alternating  between  hope  and  despondency. 
His  staff,  perceiving  his  perilous  situation — for  he 
was  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy — approached 
him  and  implored  him  to  retire.     He  heeded  them 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  213 

not.  His  thoughts  were  intent  upon  victory  or  de- 
feat. He  knew  not  at  this  moment  what  the  result 
wouid  be.  He  felt  that  that  eno-ao-ement  was  to  de- 
cide  his  fate.  He  had  given  all  his  orders  and  se- 
lected his  position.  If  the  day  went  against  him,  he 
was  irretrievably  lost;  if  for  him,  he  could  rejoice,  in 
common  with  his  countrymen,  at  the  triumphant  suc- 
cess of  our  arms. 

"  Such  seemed  to  be  his  thoughts,  his  determinar 
tion ;  and  when  he  saw  the  enemy  give  way  and  re- 
treat, in  the  utmost  confusion,  he  gave  free  vent  to 
his  pent-up  feelings.  His  right  leg  was  quickly  dis- 
engaged from  tlie  pommel  of  the  saddle,  where  it 
had  remained  during  the  whole  of  the  fierce  encoun- 
ter; his  arms,  which  were  calmly  folded  over  his 
breast,  relaxed  their  hold,  his  feet  firmly  danced  in 
the  stirrups,  and  his  whole  body  was  in  motion.  It 
was  a  moment  of  the  most  exciting  and  intense  in- 
terest. His  face  was  suffused  witli  tears.  The  day 
was  won,  the  victory  complete,  his  little  army  saved 
from  defeat  and  disgrace,  and  he  could  not  refrain 
from  weeping  for  joy  at  w4iat  had  seemed  to  so  many, 
but  a  moment  before,  as  an  impossible  result. — Long 
may  the  noble  and  kind-hearted  old  hero  live  to  en- 
joy the  honours  of  his  numerous  brilliant  victories, 
and  many  other  honours  that  a  grateful  country  will 
ere  long  bestow  upon  him  !" 


214  LIFE     OF 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


Return  of  General  Taylor — End  of  the  Mexican  War— Nominated  foi 
the  Presidency — His  Election — His  partial  Disappointment — His  ill- 
ness-  -Its  Continuance  —  General  Taylor's  Death  —  Grief  of  the 
People — Funeral  Honours — Removal  of  his  Remains  to  the  West — Hia 
Character. 


HE  battle  of  Buena  Vista  was  the  last 
in  which  General  Taylor  was  en- 
gaged ;  and  being  now  in  his  sixty- 
third  year,  he  returned  to  the  United 
States  from  the  scene  of  his  foreign 
conquests.  He  brought  home  with  him  not 
only  the  love  and  reverence  of  his  army,  but 
even  the  regard  and  respect  of  the  nation 
against  which  he  had  led  an  invading  force.  The 
verdict  of  all  nations  confirmed  the  fame  which  his 
countrymen  accorded  to  him ;  and  foremost  among 
brave  and  skilful  gererals,  stands  the  name  of  Za- 
chary  Taylor. 

The  operations  of  General  Scott,  in  another  part 
of  the  Mexican  Republio^  ended  the  war.     A  series 


\'  kit 


Gexekai.  Taylor  as  President. 


GiiNERAL    Taylor.  215 

of  victories  crowned  his  march,  and  the  capital  ot 
the  Mexican  Republic  was  taken  by  the  American 
Army.  In  that  capital  the  conditions  of  peace  were 
agreed  upon,  and  a  treaty  embracing  magnanimous 
terms  was  ratified.  Large  accessions  of  territory 
were  by  it  added  to  the  United  States;  making  the 
connected  area  of  this  republic  rival  that  of  the 
greatest  nations  in  ancient  or  modern  times. 

While  he  was  yet  in  Mexico,  the  spontaneous 
voice  of  the  American  people  had  nominated  General 
Taylor  for  the  Presidency  of  the  United  States.  He 
heard  of  the  honour  intended  him  with  the  modesty 
which  was  his  characteristic ;  and  took  no  steps 
whatever  to  secure  or  to  obtain  popular  favour.  In 
the  spring  of  1848  he  was  formally  nominated  for 
the  suffrages  of  his  countrymen,  being  presented  as 
the  candidate  of  one  of  the  great  political  parties ; 
and  in  November  of  the  same  year  he  was  elected, 
receiving  163  votes  in  the  electoral  college,  his  oppo- 
nent, General  Cass,  receiving  127.  He  was  inaugu- 
rated on  March  5th,  1849 ;  the  fourth  of  that  month, 
whicxi  is  the  legal  day,  falling  upon  Sunday. 

The  victories  of  the  war  in.  which  General  Taylor 
was  engaged,  and  the  questions  growing  out  of  the 
large  accessions  of  territory,  caused  the  opening  of 
his  administration  to  be  attended  with  contests-^ 


•216  L  I  F  E     O  t 

peaceful,  it  is  true  —  but  more  perplexing  to  the  sol- 
dier than  the  strife  of  the  battle  field.  He  distinctly, 
but  mildly  and  modestly,  indicated  the  policy  which 
he  proposed  to  follow,  in  reference  to  the  great  ques- 
tions of  the  day  ;  but  declared  that  he  should  deter 
tu  the  wisdom  of  Congress,  in  all  questions  of  a 
legislative  character.  In  his  administration  of  the 
government,  his  course  was  to  give  to  his  Cabinet 
advisers  their  full  weight  in  the  details  which  per- 
tained to  their  departments;  forbearing  to  assume 
what  he  regarded  as  the  province  of  the  several 
Cabinet  officers.  This  experience  of  political  life, 
we  are  led  to  infer,  disappointed  him ;  for  he  looked 
for  a  magnanimity  among  politicans  which  is  hardly 
compatible  with  the  character  of  partizan  politics. 
He  expected  a  deference  to  the  honesty  of  his  pur- 
poses which  all  did  not  accord  to  him.  In  a  word, 
he  carried  too  much  sensitiveness  into  the  Presi- 
dential Chair,  and  showed  himself  more  vuhierable 
to  political  censures,  than  he  had  been  to  the  Mexican 
lances. 

Still  the  nation  was  little  aware  of  these  matters 
of  personal  discomfort;  and  all  looked  confidently 
forward  to  the  day,  when  the  strong  sense  and 
straightforward  integrity  of  the  President  would  carry 
mm  triumphantly  through,  and  vindicate  his  policy. 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  217 

But  in  the  midst  of  the  long  debates  which  grew  out 
of  the  adjustment  of  the  questions  connected  with 
the  new  United  States  territory,  the  nation  was  sud- 
denly alarmed  with  the  intelligence  of  the  President's 
dangerous  illness;  and  as  suddenly  shocked  by  the 
tidings  of  his  death,  which  occurred  on  Tuesday 
evening,  July  9th,  betv/een  the  hours  of  ten  and 
eleven.  The  inteUigence  flew  with  the  lightning 
speed. of  the  electric  telegraph,  and  every  where  the 
voice  of  mourning  was  heard :  for  no  pubhc  man, 
since  Washington,  had  more  endeared  himself  to  the 
American  people. 

His  indisposition  commenced  on  the  Fourth  of 
July  ;  and  we  take  an  account  of  the  incidents  of  his 
last  hours  from  the  correspondence  of  the  Phila- 
delphia Evening  Bulletin.  In  the  morning  he  was, 
to  all  appearance,  sound  in  health,  and  in  excellent 
spirits.  In  company  with  his  family,  and  several 
of  the  heads  of  departments,  he  attended,  at  the 
National  Monument,  an  oration  by  Senator  Foote ; 
and  even  up  to  5  o'clock  exhibited  no  symptoms  of 
illness.  However,  while  upon  the  ground,  he  partook 
freely  of  water,  and  then,  after  considerable  exercise 
in  walking,  and  exposure  to  the  sun,  he  drove  home. 
Arrived  at  the  mansion,  he  "  felt,"  as  he  expressed 
himself  to  Dr.  Weatherspoon,  "  very  hungry  ;"  and 


218  LIFE     OF 

Without  reflecting  that  he  was  in  an  "unfit  condition 
to  indulge  freely  in  fruits,  &c.,  he  called  for  some 
refreshments,  and  ate  heartily  of  cherries  and  wild 
berries,  which  he  washed  down  with  copious  draughts 
of  iced  milk  and  water.  At  dinner,  he  applied  him- 
self again  to  the  cherries  against  the  remonstrance 
of  Dr.  Weatherspoon,  and  in  an  hour  was  seized  by 
cramps,  which  soon  took  the  form  of  violent  cholera 
morbus.  His  physician  prescribed  the  usual  reme- 
dies, but  for  a  time  he  resisted  ;  deeming  the  attack 
only  temporary,  and  that  it  would  yield  finally  to 
his  naturally  strong  constitution.  Towards  mid- 
nicrht,  instead  of  relief,  the  attack  increased  in  vio- 
lence,  and  threatened  desperate  results,  if  not  speed- 
ily arrested.  He  continued  in  this  condition,  with- 
out much  change,  until  the  evening  of  the  6th.  It 
was  then  deemed  advisable  to  call  in  other  physi- 
cians. Accordingly,  Messrs.  Hall  and  Coolidge  were 
invited,  and  promptly  responded;  but  they  thought 
it  further  advisable  to  send  for  the  assistance  of  Dr. 
Wood,  of  Baltimore.  That  gentleman  attended 
immediately,  and  in  the  same  cars  came  Colonel 
Taylor,  the  brother  of  the  General,  and  his  family, 
who  had  likewise  been  telegraphed  for.  By  thi« 
time  (the  morning  of  the  8th),  the  disease  had  made 
5apid  encroachments  on  his  frame,  but  by  the  united 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  219 

skill  of  these  eminent  practitioners,  the  visible  stages 
of  cholera  morbus  were  soon  after  checked.  How- 
ever fever  ensued  and  from  a  remittent  character,  it 
took  the  form  of  typhoid.  Anxiety  now  began  to 
manifest  itself,  not  only  among  the  exalted  patient's 
family,  but  among  the  physicians  themselves.  His 
cliances  of  life  hung  upon  a  thread. 

Through  the  8th  the  public  anxiety  was  intense, 
and  bulletins  were  hourly  sent  out  to  inform  the 
waiting  thousands  of  the  condition  of  the  patient. 
These  offered  little  hope ;  for  men  began  to  feel  that 
the  time  for  hope  had  passed.  The  9th  dawmed,  but 
gloom  still  surrounded  the  Executive  mansion.  Thou- 
sands began  to  flood  the  avenues  leading  thither,  and 
through  the  day,  a  messenger  was  kept  posted  at  the 
main  door,  to  answer  the  interrogatories  that  were 
incessantly  poured  upon  him.  At  ten  o'clock,  A.  M., 
a  report  circulated  that  the  President  had  rallied-at 
one,  P.  M.,  that  he  was  dead.  The  consternation 
created  by  the  latter  rumour  was  much  relieved  by 
an  official  bulletin  at  half  past  three,  that  the  crisis 
had  been  passed,  and  that  he  was  then  beyond  imme- 
diate danger.  Bells  rang  for  joy,  and  even  the  boys 
in  the  streets  lit  bonfires,  and  shouted  in  childish 
gratulation.  The  stream  now  to  the  White  House 
was  greater  than  ever,  but  about  seven  in  the  evening 


220  LIFE     OF 

the  pall  of  gloom  again  shrouded  all  faces,  for  it  was 
announced  the  illustrious  hero  was  dying. 

At  a  few  minutes  past  ten,  it  became  apparent 
that  the  soul  of  the  hero  and  conqueror  was  about 
taking  its  rest.  The  medical  yielded  to  the  spiritual 
agent,  whose  office  it  was  to  prepare  for  the  approach 
of  the  Kinor  of  Terrors.  But  there  was  nothingr  in 
the  conduct  of  the  sufferer,  to  indicate  that  he  feared 
the  mortal  leap.  In  the  secret  communion  of  his 
heart  with  Heaven,  who  can  say  that  he  died  not  a 
Christian  .^  After  prayer  he  seemed  refreshed,  and 
called  for  a  glass  of  water.  It  was  given  to  him,  and 
he  drank  sparingly.  He  then  inquired  of  Dr 
Weatherspoon  how  long  he  thought  he  would  live, 
to  which  the  latter  replied,  "  I  hope,  General,  for 
many  years,"  but  thinking  this  a  useless  deception, 
he  added,  "  I  fear  not  many  hours."  "  I  know  it," 
was  the  response ;  then,  after  musing  a  moment,  he 
asked  for  his  family.  They  were  sent  for,  and  soon 
entered.  The  interview  was  indescribably  affecting 
— Mrs.  Taylor  prostrating  herself  at  the  bedside,  and 
her  children  clinging  around  her,  with  sobs  and 
groans  expressive  of  their  agony.  The  pain  which 
had  afflicted  the  patient  in  the  side  of  his  chest, 
ceased;  and  attended  by  other  symptoms  of  ease,  it 
was  thought  he  mighf  endure  till  morning.     But  he 


GENERAL    TAYLOR.  221 

himself  knew  better,  and  so  declared  in  a  q  nite  audible 
voice.  He  was  asked  whether  he  was  comfortable. 
'*  Very,"  he  replied  "but  the  storm,  in  passing,  has 
swept  away  the  trunk."  Soon  after,  he  added  "  I 
am  about  to  die — 1  expect  the  summons  soon — I  have 
endeavoured  to  discharge  all  my  official  duties  faith- 
fully— I  regret  nothing,  but  am  sorry  that  I  am 
about  to  leave  my  friends."  These  were  his  last 
audible  words.  He  essayed  to  speak  to  his  wife  a 
few  moments  before  his  demise,  but  his  voice  fai.  ed 
him.  Dr.  Weatherspoon  administered  a  stimulus, 
but  it  was  powerless  in  reviving  the  functions.  The 
soul  of  the  hero  had  fled. 

Those  surrounding  the  late  President  at  the 
moment  of  his  death,  were  :  —  His  own  family, 
including  Col.  Bliss,  Col.  Taylor  and  family,  Jefferson 
Davis  and  family.  Vice  President  Fillmore,  several 
Senators  and  members,  several  members  of  the 
Diplomatic  corps,  the  Cabinet,  Benton,  Hale,  Wood, 
Ooolidge  and  Weatherspoon,  and  a  number  of  inti- 
mate friends.  Without  the  mansion,  the  grounds 
were  literally  covered  with  an  immense  multitude, 
who  continued  to  linger  in  groups,  until  after  mid- 
night, scarcely  crediting  the  intelligence,  though 
officially  announced. 

Official   notice   was    immediately   given   to   Mr 


222  LIFE     OF 

Fillmore,  by  the  members  of  the  Cabinet ;  and  the 
late  Vice  President — now  President — made  a  feeling 
and  appropriate  reply.  On  the  following  day,  the 
10th,  Mr.  Fillmore  communicated  the  melancholy 
event  officially  to  Coiigress ,  eloquent  eulogies  were 
pronounced  in  both  branches.  At  twelve  o'clock,  M., 
Mr.  Fillmore  took  the  oath  qualifying  him  to  admin- 
ister the  duties  of  the  Executive,  which  now  devolved 
upon  him.  On  the  11th,  as  President  of  the  United 
States,  Millard  Fillmore  issued  to  the  Army  and 
Navy  the  following  General  Orders  : 

"  The  President  of  the  United  States,  with  pro- 
found sorrow,  announces  to  the  Army,  Navy,  and 
Marine  Corps  the  death  of  Zachary  Taylor,  late 
President  of  the  United  States.  He  died  at  the 
Executive  Mansion,  on  the  night  of  the  9th  inst.,  at 
half  past  ten  o'clock. 

"  His  last  public  appearance,  was  in  participating 
in  ths  ceremonies  of  our  National  Anniversary,  at 
the  base  of  the  Monument  now  rearing-  to  the  mem- 
cry  of  Washington.  His  last  official  act  was  to 
affix  his  signature  to  the  Convention  recently 
concluded  between  the  United  States  and  Great 
Britain. 

"  The  vigour  of  a  constitution  strong  by  nature,  and 
confirmed  by  active  and  temperate  habits,  had,  in 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  22.3 

fater  years,  become  impaired  by  the  arduous  toils  and 
exposures  of  his  military  life. 

"  Solely  engrossed  in  maintaining  the  honour  and 
advancing  the  glory  of  his  country,  in  a  career  of 
forty  years  in  the  army  of  the  United  States,  he 
rendered  himself  signal  and  illustrious.  An  un. 
broken  current  of  success  and  victory,  terminated  bj 
an  achievement  unsurpassed  in  our  annals,  left  no- 
ihing  to  be  accomplished  for  his  military  fame. 

"  His  conduct  and  courage  gave  him  this  career 
of  unexampled  fortune,  and,  with  the  crowning  vir 
tues  of  moderation  and  humanity  under  all  circum 
stances,  and  especially  in  the  moment  of  victory, 
revealed  to  his  contrymen  those  great  and  good 
qualities  which  induced  them,  unsolicited,  to  call 
him  from  his  high  military  command,  to  the  highest 
civil  office  of  honour  and  trust  in  the  Republic  ;  not 
that  he  desired  to  be  first,  but  that  he  was  felt  to  be 
worthiest. 

"The  simplicity  of  his  character,  the  singleness 
of  his  purpose,  the  elevation  and  patriotism  of  his 
principles ;  his  moral  courage,  his  justice,  magna- 
nimity and  benevolence ;  his  wisdom,  moderation 
and  power  of  command,  while  they  have  endeared 
nim  to  the  heart  of  the  nation,  add  to  to  the  deep 
ienseof  he  national  calamity,  in  the  loss  of  a  Chief 


224  J   I  F  E     OF 

Magistrate  whom  death  itself  could  not  appai,  in  the 
consciousness  of  "  having  always  do7ie  his  dutyP 

"The  officers  of  the  Army,  of  the  Navy,  and 
Marine  Corps,  will,  as  a  manifestation  of  their  re- 
cpect  for  the  exalted  character  and  eminent  public 
services  of  the  illustrious  dead,  and  of  their  sense 
of  the  calamity  the  country  has  sustained  by  this 
afflicting  dispensation  of  Providence,  wear  crape  on 
ihe  left  arm,  and  upon  the  hilt  of  the  sword  for  six 
p'lonths. 

"It  is  further  directed,  that  funeral  honours  be 
paid  at  each  of  the  military  posts,  according  to  the 
general  regulations,  at  Navy-yards,  and  on  board  all 
public  vessels  in  commission,  by  firing  thirty  minute 
guns,  commencing  at  meridian  on  the  day  after  the 
receipt  of  this  order,  and  by  wearing  their  flags  at 
half-mast." 

Congress  adjourned,  after  witnessing  the  induction 
of  President  Fillmore,  until  Saturday ;  when  the 
Legislature  assembled  to  pay  the  last  rites  to  the  re- 
mains of  Zachary  Taylor.  From  the  Capitol,  after 
appropriate  services  there,  the  Senate  and  House  of 
Representatives  repaired  to  the  Executive  Mansion; 
where  as  many  as  could  be  admitted,  entered.  The 
members  of  the  Cabinet,  and  the  Representatives  o^ 
Foreign  Co  irts,  with  the  family  of  the  deceased,  and 


GENERAL    TAYLOR.  225 

the  Pall  Bearers,  had  precedence  in  admission.  The 
coffin  stood  on  a  raised  platform,  in  the  centre  of  the 
East  room,  enveloped  with  black  crape.  The  in- 
scription on  the  plate  is  as  follows  : 

ZACHARY  TAYLOR, 

PRESIDENT    OF    THE    UNITED    STATES, 

^T.   66. 

At  an  early  hour,  before  the  assembling  of  the 
public  concourse,  religious  services  took  place,  when 
none  but  the  immediate  relatives  were  present. 
When  the  public  functionaries,  and  others  entitled 
to  enter,  had  assembled,  the  Rev.  Smith  Pyne,  D.  D 
performed  the  solemn  and  impressive  burial  service 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church ;  during  which 
many  a  sob  was  heard  among  the  large  assemblage. 
A  most  eloquent  discourse  w^as  then  delivered  by  the 
reverend  gentleman.  The  family  of  the  deceased 
were  not  in  the  room,  but  were  within  hearing  of  the 
speaker.  The  services  being  concluded,  the  coffin 
was  removed,  and  carried  out  of  the  White  House. 
It  was  then  placed  upon  the  Funeral  Car  provided 
for  the  occasion.  Near  the  car  was  the  favourite 
war-horse  of  the  departed  chieftain.  The  Funeral 
Car  was  a  plain  hearse,  under  a  raised  canopy, 
beautifully  trimmed,  the  American  Eagle  being  re- 
10* 


226  LIFE     OF 

presented  in  the  centre  It  was  drawn  by  eight 
white  horses  with  black  housings,  each  horse  led  by 
a  groom  in  oriental  costume. 

The  procession  moved  at  two  o'clock,  P.  M.  As 
soon  as  it  started,  minute  guns  were  fired  by  detach- 
ments of  United  States  Artillery,  stationed  near  St. 
John's  Church,  the  City  Hall,  and  the  Capitol,  re- 
spectively. The  procession  was  a  mile  and  a  half 
long.  The  avenue  through  which  it  passed  was 
densely  crowded.  Every  window  was  occupied,  and 
the  concourse  of  spectators  on  the  sidewalks  was  im- 
mense. Flowers  were  strewed  along  Pennsylvania 
Avenue  for  several  hundred  yards  leading  from  the 
White  House.  The  civic  procession  has  been  esti- 
mated at  16,000;  the  military  at  900,  besides  six 
companies  of  artillery. 

The  procession,  on  arriving  at  the  cemetery,  found 
it  densely  occupied,  the  crowd  having  been  collected 
there  for  several  hours.  A  volley  was  fired  over  the 
hero's  remains,  after  the  coffin  had  been  temporarily 
deposited ;  and  then  the  vast  concourse  slowly  de- 
parted. In  the  principal  cities  throughout  the  Union, 
business  was  suspended,  during  the  funeral  cere- 
monies ;  and  thus,  by  the  rapid  transmission  of  intelli 
gence  now  attainable,  a  nation  united  in  funera* 
honours   to  the  Llustrious  dead.     Processions  and 


GENERAL     TAYLOR.  227 

Funeral  Orations  were  also  had  on  subsequent  days, 
as  the  convenience  of  municipal  bodies  would  permit. 
A  whole  people  honour  the  memory  of  an  illustrious 
and  faithful  servant;  a  sincere  patriot,  and  an  honest 
man. 

Two  months  subsequently  to  this  interment, 
General  Taylor's  body  was  conveyed,  with  due  cere- 
monies at  every  stopping-place,  to  Louisville  in  Ken- 
tucky, where  the  mortal  remains  of  the  hero,  the 
patriot,  and  the  statesman,  were  finally  committed 
to  their  last  resting-place. 

President  Taylor  leaves  a  widow,  his  companion 
for  forty  years.  Of  the  four  children  born  to  him  in 
that  period,  three  survive;  a  son,  and  two  daughters. 
One  of  the  daughters  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  Wood, 
U.  S.  A.,  and  the  other  of  Col.  W.  S.  Bliss,  U.  S.  A. 
We  cannot  say  what  inheritance  in  money  and  land 
he  leaves ;  but  to  his  family  and  country  he  bequeaths 
the  wealth  of  a  good  and  great  example — the  honour 
of  an  unsullied  name. 


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VA  SCO     DA     GAMA: 

HIS     VOYAGES     AND     ADVENTURES. 

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perilous  situations;  and  Mr.  Towle,  while  not  sacriticing  historical  accuracy, 

jias  so  skilfully  used  his  materials,  that  we  have  a  charmingly  romantic  tale." 

—  Rural  New-Yorker. 

PIZ  ARRO: 
HIS  ADVENTURES  AND  CONQUESTS. 
"  No  hero  of  romance  possesses  greater  power  to  charm  the  youthful  reader 
than  the  conqueror  of  Peru.  Not  even  King  Arthur,  or  Thaddeus  of  War- 
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MAGELLAN; 

OR,  THE    FIRST    VOYAGE    ROUND    THE    WORLD. 

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life  of  its  hero,  Fernan  Magellan,  with  its  rapid  stride  from  the  softness  of 
a  petted  youth  to  the  sturdy  courage  and  persevering  fortitude  of  manhood, 
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MARCO     PO  LO: 

HIS  TRAVELS  AND  ADVENTURES. 
•'The  story  of  the  adventurous  Venetian,  who  six  hundred  years  ago  pena 
trated  into  India  and  Cathay  and  Thibet  and  Abyssinia,  is  pleasantly  and 
clearly  told;  and  nothing  better  can  be  put  into  the  hands  of  tlv;  school  boy 
or  girl  than  this  series  of  the  records  of  noted  travellers.  The  heroism  dis- 
played by  these  men  was  certainly  as  great  as  that  ever  shown  by  conquering 
warrior;  and  it  was  exercised  in  afar  nobler  cause,  —  the  cause  of  knowledge 
and  discovery,  which  has  made  the  nineteenth  century  what  it  is."  ■•■Graphic. 

RALEGH: 

HIS     EXPLOITS     AND     VOYAGES. 

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with  a  greater  and  more  interesting  man  than  any  of  its  predecessors.    With 

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Elorer,  Sir  Walter  Ralegh.  Even  at  this  distance  of  time,  more  than  two 
undred  and  fifty  years  after  his  head  fell  on  the  scaffold,  we  cannot  read  hia 
story  without  emotion.  It  is  graphically  written,  and  is  pleasant  reading, 
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winning.  At  home  or  abroad,  they  are  true  to  tlieir  individuality,  and 
see  things  with  their  own  eyes.  It  is  a  fresh,  delightful  volume,  well 
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OUR  HELEN. 
"'Our  Helen'  is  Sophie  May's  latest  creation;  and  she  is  a  bright, 
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with  some  old  friends  in  the  book.  It  is  a  good  companion-book  for  the 
'Doctor's  Daughter,' and  the  two  should  go  together.  Queer  old  Mrs. 
O'Xeil  still  lives,  to  indulge  in  the  reminiscences  of  the  young  men  of 
Machias;  and  other  Quiuuebasset  people  with  familiar  names  occasionally 
appear,  along  with  new  ones  who  are  woith  knowing.  '  Our  Helen  '  is  a 
noble  and  unselfish  girl,  but  with  a  mind  and  will  of  her  own;  and  the 
contrast  between  her  and  pretty,  fascinating,  selfish  little  Sharley,  is  very 
finely  drawn.      Lee  &  Shepard  publish  it."  —  llolyoke  Tramcript. 

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pervaded  by  the  same  bright,  cheery  sunshine  that  we  find  in  the  author's 
earlier  books.  She  is  to  be  congratulated  on  the  success  of  her  essay  in 
a  new  field  of  literature,  to  which  she  will  be  warmly  welcomed  by  those 
who  know  and  admire  Ler  '  Frudy  Books.'  " 


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A    WOMAN'S    WORD,    AND    HOW    SHE    KEPT    IT 

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ONLY    GIRLS 

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YOUNG  FOLKS'  TROPHIES  OF  TRAVEL. 


With  the  Young  Americans  in  the  Land  of  the  Rising  Sun. 


m  \mwmi  m  o 


) 


OR,- 


le  Fnrllier  AiYcntnres  of  tlie  Jeiett  Family  anil  llieir 
Frienfl  Oto  Namlio. 

By    EDWARD    -GRE£Y. 

Author  of  "  Young  Americans  in  Japan,"  "  The  Golden  Lotus,"  etc.  With  one 
hundred  and  sixty-nine  illustrations.  Royal  Octavo,  7x91-2  inches,  with  cover 
in  gold  and  colors,  designed  by  the  author,  $1.75.     Cloth,  biack  and  gold,  $2.50. 

In  the  great  city  of  the  great  Empire  of  Japan,  which  the  Japanese  themselves 
call  wonderful,  the  Young  Americans  find  new  cause  for  wonder  at  the  strange 
customs  and  curious  sights.  Under  the  guidance  of  "  Oto  Nambo,"  their  staunch 
friend,  they  assist  at  afire,  dine  at  Tokio  restaurants,  are  entertained  by  Amateur 
performers,  visit  all  the  points  of  interest,  and  meet  with  many  adventures;  but 
the  most  interesting  part  of  the  book  to  American  boys  will  be  the  visits  to  and 
descriptions  of  the  different  trades,  many  of  which  are  illustrated,  and  all  of  which 
are  described,  from  the  "seller  of  folded  fans  "to  the  maker  of  "  broiled  bean 
curd."     Fully  equal  in  interest  and  uniform  with 


mm  iiEiciis  II JAPM 


) 


•OR,- 


Tie  AJyeiitiires  of  lie  Jewelt  Family  ani  tlieir  Friend 
Olo  Mlio. 

By  EDWARD  GREfiY, 

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Octavo,  7  X91-2  inches.     Handsomely  illuminated  cover,  $1.75;  Cloth,  black  and 

gold,  $2.50.     A  new  edition  of  which  is  now  ready. 

Mr.  Edward  Gre^v  was  a  member  of  the  famous  expedition  which  in  1854 
caused  "  the  land  of  the  Rising  Sun"  to  be  opened  to  Eastern  civilization.  He 
afterward  returned  to  Japan,  "  living  among  its  estimable  people,  studied  their 
language  and  literature,  and  what  they  termed  'learned  their  hearts.'  "  He  is  thus 
qualified  to  bei  a  trustworthy  guide  to  this,  the  youngest  and  oldest  of  nations. 
His  pen-pictures  of  Japanese  scenery  and  customs  are  graphic,  and  by  the  intro- 
duction of  spicy  conversation  are  made  dramatic.  Markets  and  bn^aars,  shake 
shops,  and  Buddhist  temples,  jin-riki-shas  and  jugglers,  are  all  brought  before  th« 
eye. 

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YOUNG  FOLKS'  TROPHIES  OF  TRAVEL. 


OUR  BOYS  IN  INDIA : 

The    Wanderings  of  two  Young  Americans  in  HindostaiA, 

with  their  exciting  adventures  on  the  Sacred  Rivers 

and  Wild  Mountains. 

By  harry  W.  FRENCH, 

Author  of"  Castle  Foam,"  "  Ego,"  "  Nuna  the  Bramin  Girl,"  "  Genu 
of  Genius,"  etc. 
With  145  illustrations.     Royal  Octavo,  7x91-2  inches.     Bound  in  emblcmatkaj 
covers  of  Oriental  design,  $1.75.     Cloth,  black  and  gold,  J2.50. 
The  great  Indian  Empire  is  the  champion  land  for  romance  and  adventure. 
In  this  story  a  little  Yankee  lad  is  kidnapped    from  his  home.     By  the  aid  of  a 
detective,  an  older  brother,  a  !ad  of  16  years,  traces  him  to  India.     The  adventures 
of  the  two,  one  as  a  captive,  the  other  as  a  rescuer,  in  different  parts  of  the  empire, 
are  thrilling,  dealing  as  they  do  with  the  Natives,  the  Snake  Charmers  and  Jug- 
glers, Royal  Personages  and  Mountaineers,  Tiger  Hunts,  Elephant  and  Rhinoceros 
Fights.     The  descriptions  of  Scenery,   Customs  and  Wonders   are  graphic  and 
instructive.     Many  of  the  illustrations  are  from  special  photographs  taken  for  the 
author  while  in  India. 

DRIFTING  ROUND  THE  WORLD; 

A  BOY'S  ADVENTURES  BY  SEA  AND  LAND. 
By  CAPT.  CHARLES  W.  HALL. 

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are  now  ready.     Handsome  cover,  $1  75.     Cloth,  gilt,  $2.50. 

If  a  handsomer  or  more  enjoyable  book  for  boys  has  been  issued,  or  is  yet  to 
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is  the  name  of  the  boy  whose  adventures  form  the  material  for  this  story.  Rob, 
like  many  another  boy  of  his  years,  has  a  hankering  after  travel,  and  he  is  des- 
tined to  get  his  fill  of  it.  He  ships  on  board  a  schooner  bound  to  Greenland,  is  ship- 
wrecked on  the  coast  of  Labrador,  visits  Iceland,  skips  down  to  and  through 
Scotland,  England  France,  Holland,  Russia,  Asia,  and  heaven  knows  where  else 
besides,  until,  having  travelled  this  wide  world  all  over,  he  lights  in  at  last  at  San 
Francisco,  and  finally  brings  up  at  his  place  of  beginning  —  the  little  village  o( 
Stonehaven,  on  the  coast  of  New  England.  Rob,  in  one  respect,  is  like  Japhet 
that  Captain  Marryatt  has  written  about  —  he  was  off  on  these  travels  of  his  in 
search  of  his  father.  The  book  is  full  of  information,  and  is  written  in  a  style  that 
cannot  fail  to  command  the  attention  of  its  readers.  The  scenes  which  it  portrays 
Mc  illustrated  by  200  beautiful  pictures.— Pj7/j3?<>-_f  Times. 

*t*  S(Bld  by  all  Booksellers  and  Newsdealers. 

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